INDONESIA, Saturday 4 May 2014 - His Royal Highness  General RBAF Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at Prime Minister’s Office, lauded strong ties, especially in the field of defence cooperation, between Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.

Delivering his sabda at the Special Forces Commando in Jakarta, where he was conferred the title of Member of Red Beret of Kopassus by Major General Agus Sutomo, the Commander of Kopassus, HRH expressed his happiness to be among the Red Beret Soldiers. HRH said the conferment was an honour for him, as his father, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, had also received the same honour in 2003.

He said he had observed the important role the soldiers play in safe guarding peace and stability of the country.

HRH was invited to view the demonstration against terrorism, which includes segments on static building ambush, bus ambush, personnel capabilities and commando attack.

HRH also went to the shooting range to observe another demonstration.

Major General Agus Sutomo congratulated HRH on becoming a Member of Red Beret of Kopassus. The conferment has further strengthened the existing relations in defence cooperation between the two countries, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

HRH said Kopassus and the Special Forces Regiment of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces enjoy close friendship and often hold exchange programmes.

HRH later attended a luncheon hosted by Kopassus commander where plaques were exchanged.

Accompanying His Royal Highness were Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, deputy minister of Defence, Indonesia; Dato Paduka Haji Ali Haji Apong, Deputy Minister at Prime Minister’s Office; Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud Haji Saidin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to Indonesia; and Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Yussof Haji Abd Rahman, Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Commander Royal Brunei Land Force.

HRH delivering his Sabda at the Special Forces Commando, where he was conferred the title of Member of Red Beret of Kopassus by Commander of Kopassus in Jakarta

HRH receiving a Pesambahfrom Major General Agus Sutomo

HRH  signing the visitor's book at the end of his visit to Kopassus