BOLKIAH GARRISON, Friday 10 May 2013 – Brigadier General Benedict Lim, Commandant of SAFTI, Military Institute, Republic of Singapore Armed Forces, made a courtesy call this morning to the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin. Brigadier General Benedict Lim assumed command as Commandant of SAFTI, Military Institute on 9 February 2012.

The Commandant is here for a working meeting for the upcoming 6th Brunei-Singapore Defence Scholars Leadership Development Programme, which is scheduled to run in July-August 2013.

By Lt Col (U) Mohd Azmi Hj Mohd Husain

THAILAND, Friday 10 May 2013 – Cha-am City was successfully normalised after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake, resulting in 8 meter-high Tsunami waves hit the Andaman Coast on 7 May 2013 causing damages including sunk fishing boats, hazardous chemical leakage, collapse of building structures, deaths and injuries. 23 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Countries, the EU and other International Organisation were mobilised to tackle the tragedy, with 18 personnel from Brunei Darussalam out of the 1,362 personnel participating. These were the scenarios roll-played for Field Training Exercise (FTX) other than Table Top Exercise (TTX).

RIMBA, Tuesday 07 Mei 2013 - As part of the RBAF community contribution in conjunction with the 52nd anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), a blood donation campaign commenced today with personnel from the Royal Brunei Air Force. The campaign took place at PUNAI Hall in Rimba Air Base which involved 66 personnel and successfully collected 66 pints of blood.

Also attended the campaign was The Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force, Colonel (U) Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip. The campaign will be further be carried out at all Units of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces in all camps.

By Normasitirena Suhaini

ISTANA NURUL IMAN, Wednesday 8 May 2013 – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu-izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces has consented to receive in audience the State Councillr and Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency General Chang Wanquan at the Istana Nurul Iman.

Also present at the audience ceremony was the Chairman of the 7th ADMM, The Honourable Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin Bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.

By Normasitirena Suhaini

BOLKIAH GARRISON, Wednesday 8 May 2013 – The Ministry of Defence this afternoon received an official visit by the State Councilor and Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency General Chang Wanquan and delegation.

Upon arrival at the Bolkiah Garrison, His Excellency was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat. Also in attendance to welcome His Excellency and delegation were the Defence Executive Members, services commanders, commandants, military and civilian directors from the Ministry of Defence.

By Normasitirena Suhaini

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday 8 May 2013 – An ASEAN-China Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting took place yesterday afternoon at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom, Empire Hotel and Country Club, Brunei Darussalam.

The meeting discussed ASEAN-China defence cooperation and exchange views on regional and international cooperation.   His Excellency General Chang Wanquan, State Councilor and Minister of National Defence, People’s Republic of China is on a three day bilateral visit to Brunei Darussalam commencing from 6 May until 9 May 2013. This is also His Excellency General Chang’s first overseas trip since his appointment as the Minister of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China.

By Siti Zahira Hj Abu Bakar

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday 08 May 2013 - As part of the recreation program for the 7th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), the leaders, spouses and delegation had the opportunity to explore and experience variety of culture, food and hospitality of the local community.

There was a friendly golf match involving His Excellency General Tea Banh - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Kingdom of Cambodia and the RBAF Commander, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin as well as senior officials from both sides.