Former Prime Minister Hun Sen greets his old friend the Sultan of Brunei at Phnom Penh International Airport on the evening of April 29. - SHS
PHNOM PENH: Senate president Hun Sen greeted close personal friend Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei as he arrived in the kingdom on Monday (April 29) night.
Hun Sen has often declared the Sultan as being like a “big brother” to him, with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra often described as being the second of Hun Sen’s “brothers”, within his personal sphere of relations in the Asean region.
The Sultan was accompanied by his son Prince Abdul Mateen, with the two being personally welcomed by Hun Sen and two of his sons: Hun Manith and Hun Many.
“The Sultan’s visit is not an official one. He is just here to exchange greetings and share a meal together on April 30,” said a social media post by Hun Sen.
Prime Minister Hun Manet is also expected to attend the shared meal today.
Hun Sen explained recently that in 2011, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah personally received him at the airport in Brunei and escorted him to his hotel.
In light of the Sultan’s hospitality, Hun Sen felt he should personally receive the Sultan, as well as see him off at the airport. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
