Bandar Seri Begawan, Thursday 19 Ogos 2007 - The Deputy Minister of Defence, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (RTD) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar yesterday received a courtesy call from the Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Desmond Kuek Bak Chye. On a separate occasion the Singapore Chief of Defence Force also made a call to the Commander of Royal Armed Forces (RBAF), Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof yesterday. Both calls were made at the Ministry of Defence, Bolkiah Garrison.

Prior the courtesy call, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Desmond Kuek Bak Chye was presented with the General Salute ceremony by the Guard of Honour mounted by personnel of Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF).

The visit by the Singapore Chief of Defence Force significantly aims in continuing the long established bilateral relations between both countries and an opportunity to explore areas of military cooperation between RBAF and the Singapore Armed Forces.

His Excellency Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Desmond Kuek Bak Chye, his spouse Datin Claudel Elizabeth Kuek and delegation has been in the country since 15 August on a 3-day official visit ever since his appointment as the new Chief of Defence Force for the Singapore Armed Forces.