Analysts have noted that Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei’s visit to Cambodia for a meeting with Senate president Hun Sen is purely of a personal nature, and has nothing to do with current perceived tensions surrounding the Funan Techo Canal.

Hun Sen greeted his close friend Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as he arrived in the Kingdom on the night of April 29, before seeing him off at Phnom Penh International Airport in this afternoon’s heat.

Hun Sen, now 72, has often described the Sultan, 75, as being like a “big brother” to him, with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, 74, often described as being the second of the three “brothers” within Hun Sen’s 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 five were joined for breakfast by Hun Sen’s eldest son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, on the morning of April 30.

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 greet the Sultan personally, as well as see him off at the airport.

The Sultan’s visit came after he enjoyed an April 29 call on “second brother” Thaksin in Bangkok, Thailand.

Following this morning’s function, Hun Many, Minister of Civil Service, took to social media to describe how the visit showed an “honest and brotherly relationship”, as well as providing an opportunity for the next generation to continue the close relations.

The Sultan and his son Prince Abdul Mateen enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Hun Sen and his three sons, Prime Minister Hun Manet, Minister of Civil Service Hun Many and chief of the defence ministry's Intelligence Deoartment Hun Manith. SHS

“This close friendship doesn't just demonstrate the brotherhood among the leaders of our countries, but is also a testament to the future harmony, happiness and prosperity of both nations,” he wrote.

The Sultan’s visit comes at a time when tensions appear to be increasing over Vietnamese criticism of the Kingdom’s Funan Techo Canal.

Cambodian leaders have reacted strongly to suggestions from the neighbouring country that the canal may have an environmental impact on the Mekong Delta, which is downstream from the new infrastructure project.

Kim Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, explained that the visit had no links to the current minor controversy.

He suggested that the timing of the Sultan’s visit was coincidental.

“I don’t believe that Senate president Hun Sen would have touched on the canal project with the Sultan. Brunei is not a part of the Mekong sub-region and has no links to the project. He did raise the issue with President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, because Laos is a close neighbour,” he said.

He noted that the meeting with the Laos president came at an opportune time, as had a recent visit by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.

“The unequivocal support of Laos was provided. Cambodia has supported Laos in many local developments, such as hydro-dams. It is done in the spirit of good neighbourliness,” said Phea.

He added that Cambodia and Brunei also share excellent relations and offer one another mutual support.

Phea observed that a notable fact surrounding the visit is that Hun Sen was the longest-serving head of government in Cambodian history, while Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah remains the longest-reigning monarch in ASEAN.

“This may be one factor in how they have formed such a close relationship. They have worked with each other for decades, which deepened their relationship,” he said.

He also suggested that the brief flying visit demonstrated Cambodia’s growing importance on the world stage.

“If a country has no influence at all, no one wants to come by, even for a short time,” he added.