Brunei offers $1.2 billion in bilateral assistance
Brunei offers $1.2 billion in bilateral assistance
JAKARTA (JP): Brunei pledged US$1.2 billion in bilateral
assistance to Indonesia yesterday to help restore international
market confidence in its economy, especially its currency, a
minister said yesterday.
The Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah made the offer during a
bilateral meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.
"The two leaders discussed the sultan's decision to give
financial assistance to Indonesia," Minister/State Secretary
Moerdiono said.
During the meeting, Soeharto was accompanied by Moerdiono and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas. The sultan was
accompanied by his youngest brother Prince Jefri Bolkiah and
Brunei's ambassador to Indonesia Setia Jaya.
Bolkiah and his 49-strong entourage, including his two wives
Hajjah Saleha and Hajjah Mariam, arrived here yesterday afternoon
for a two-day working visit.
Soeharto and Bolkiah viewed the financial aid as a part of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) spirit of
solidarity.
ASEAN comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the
Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.
"The President also expressed his deepest gratitude and
appreciation to the sultan for his help," Moerdiono remarked.
Bolkiah, considered the world's richest man, was the latest
among ASEAN leaders who came to offer help to Jakarta.
Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong came here last month
and offered $5 billion in bilateral aid to Indonesia. Malaysian
Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had also committed $1 billion
worth in aid from his country.
The rupiah has suffered the most among regional currencies
since it has dropped 35 percent against the U.S. dollar since
July.
Indonesia accepted an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-
sponsored bailout package worth US$23 billion last month. Japan
had also offered a $5 billion stand-by loan to Indonesia.
"During the meeting, the President also briefed the sultan on
the state of problems facing the country, the measures which have
been taken and those presently being considered," Moerdiono said.
Soeharto also apologized to Brunei's people affected by haze
and smoke caused by Indonesian brush and forest fires mostly in
Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Thick smoke from fires raging across 300,000 hectares of
forest has been hanging over Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei since
August.
"The President apologized because the haze has also affected
Brunei's people," Moerdiono remarked.
Bolkiah also attended a Tahlilan prayer last night at
Soeharto's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta, for the
late first lady Mrs. Tien Soeharto. She died in April last
year.
The sultan and his entourage will leave for Bandar Seri
Begawan this afternoon. (prb)