Yogya, Brunei capital to join hands

Yogya, Brunei capital to join hands

YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta is to establish a sister city program with Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, but no detailed agenda had been set up thus far, said Yogyakarta governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

"It is a work in progress, and both sides are still preparing joint programs to develop the two cities," the Sultan told journalists here on Wednesday after hosting an official lunch for visiting Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam at Yogyakarta Palace here on Wednesday.

Sultan Hamengkubuwono added that the sister city program was one of several topics they had discussed during the lunch.

The Sultan of Brunei also received an honoris causa doctorate in humanity and culture from Gadjah Mada University for his outstanding achievements in forging international relations.

"His Majesty has also contributed much to the bilateral ties between Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam," the rector of Gadjah Mada University said after the conferment ceremony at the university's senate hall. --JP