His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha yesterday continued with the programme for the second and final day of Their Majesties' official visit to Sabah.

In the morning, His Majesty visited Malaysia's Royal Naval Base in Sepanggar Bay and was accompanied by the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by First Admiral Syed Zahiruddin Putra bin Syed Osman, Commander of Naval Region II. The Sultan was led to the special dais to receive a royal salute. His Majesty then inspected the guard of honour mounted by 100 members of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

His Majesty later signed the guest book and received a briefing by First Admiral Syed Zahiruddin bin Syed Osman.

His Majesty boarded a special bus to have a closer look around the Naval Base followed by a visit to the Naval Air Station. During the drive, His Majesty was briefed on the submarine project by the First Admiral at the Naval Air Station. His Majesty was able to view the developments of the submarine facility.

Sultan later visited the KD KEDAH ship and upon arrival was greeted by the commanding officer of the ship, Commander (Lt Col) Muhammad Ruzelme bin Ahmad Fahmy.

His Majesty signed a guest book and was presented with a souvenir by First Admiral Syed Zahiruddin Putra.

His Majesty visited the ship's bridge and Combat Information Centre.

In a separate programme, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha attended a gathering to meet the children from welfare homes. Accompanying Her Majesty was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna.

Upon arrival at the gathering, Her Majesty was greeted by Datin Sri Panglima Hajah Faridah binti Tussin, wife of the Chief Minister of Sabah. Also present at the gathering were senior government officials and NGO officials.

Her Majesty was first led to the Main Hall to view an Orchid Exhibition and to sign a guest book. A welcoming speech was given by Datin Sri Panglima Hajah Faridah and was followed by entertainment provided by the children of the welfare homes.

Her Majesty then presented a donation to the welfare homes and was later presented with a souvenir.

Later, Their Majesties attended a luncheon hosted by the Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and his wife at a leading mall in Sabah.

Accompanying Their Majesties were HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Su'rurul Bolqiah, HRH Princess Hajah Masna and YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

In the afternoon, Their Majesties ended the two-day visit to Sabah and were accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Minister of Sabah and the Minister of Rural Development Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that His Majesty cancelled his visit to Sandakan yesterday when his special aircraft could not land at the Sandakan Airport due to bad weather.

Sultan who left Kota Kinabalu was supposed to have arrived in Sandakan at 4.30 pm as part of his three-day visit to Sabah, but due to bad weather, the flight was diverted to Brunei.

"The Sultan's safety was paramount and since he could not land due to bad weather, the Sandakan visit today was cancelled indefinitely," the Sabah Chief Minister, who led a delegation of Sabah cabinet ministers, said at the airport. - Borneo Bulletin (5th Feb 2009)