ISTANA NURUL IMAN, Thursday, 01 February 2024 – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, today received in audience His Excellency Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces held at Istana Nurul Iman.
Accompanying His Excellency were His Excellency Laurence Bay Siow Hon, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam, Colonel Peter Chee, Defence Adviser at the Republic of Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, Colonel Lim Huay Wen, Head of Joint Research Department and Colonel Joseph Peh, Head of Joint Manpower Department from Singapore Armed Forces.
Also present were Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II and Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
Meanwhile in a separate audience, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam also received in audience Mrs Sharon Beng, spouse of the Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces.
Accompanying Mrs Sharon Beng were Madam Elizabeth Bay, spouse of High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Negara Brunei Darussalam and Mrs Ellis Chee, spouse of Defence Adviser at the Republic of Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam. Also present was Datin Ummisyafinah binti Haji Zaini, spouse of the Commander of RBAF.
This year Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore marked a historical milestone with the celebration of 40 years diplomatic relations between the two countries sharing a strong and long-standing history of defence cooperation which comprises various visits, professional exchanges, assets, exercises, training and courses. With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in the year 2016, it has enhanced more opportunities for defence cooperation. One of the achievements of this strong relationship is the handover of two Fearless class patrol vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy to the Royal Brunei Navy in 2023 last year which now renamed as KDB AS-Siddiq and KDB AL-Faruq.
His Excellency Vice Admiral Aaron Beng and his delegation are currently in Negara Brunei Darussalam for a three-day official visit from 31 January 2024 to 02 February 2024.
KEBAWAH DULI YANG MAHA MULIA PADUKA SERI BAGINDA SULTAN DAN YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BERKENAN MENERIMA MENGADAP KETUA TURUS PERTAHANAN,
ANGKATAN BERSENJATA REPUBLIK SINGAPURA
KEBAWAH DULI YANG MAHA MULIA PADUKA SERI BAGINDA RAJA ISTERI BERKENAN MENERIMA MENGADAP ISTERI KETUA TURUS PERTAHANAN,
ANGKATAN BERSENJATA REPUBLIK SINGAPURA
ISTANA NURUL IMAN, Khamis, 01 Februari 2024 – Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, hari ini berkenan menerima mengadap Tuan Yang Terutama Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Ketua Turus Pertahanan, Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Singapura yang berlangsung di Istana Nurul Iman.
Menyertai Tuan Yang Terutama ialah Tuan Yang Terutama Laurence Bay Siow Hon, Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Republik Singapura ke Negara Brunei Darussalam, Kolonel Peter Chee, Penasihat Pertahanan di Suruhanjaya Tinggi Republik Singapura di Negara Brunei Darussalam, Kolonel Lim Huay Wen, Head of Joint Research Department dan Kolonel Joseph Peh, Head of Joint Manpower Department daripada Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Singapura.
Turut hadir adalah Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II dan Yang Mulia Mejar Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Pemerintah Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB).
Sementara itu, secara berasingan di Istana Nurul Iman, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam berkenan menerima mengadap Puan Sharon Beng, isteri kepada Ketua Turus Pertahanan, Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Singapura.
Menyertai Puan Sharon Beng ialah Puan Elizabeth Bay, isteri kepada Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Singapura ke Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Puan Ellis Chee, isteri kepada Penasihat Pertahanan di Suruhanjaya Tinggi Republik Singapura di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Juga hadir ialah Datin Ummisyafinah binti Haji Zaini, isteri Pemerintah ABDB.
Tahun ini Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Republik Singapura melakar detik sejarah iaitu dengan sambutan 40 tahun hubungan diplomatik diantara kedua-dua negara dengan mempunyai sejarah kerjasama di bidang pertahanan yang teguh, merangkumi lawatan-lawatan, pertukaran profesional, aset-aset, eksesais, latihan dan kursus. Dengan penandatanganan Memorandum Persefahaman Kerjasama bidang Pertahanan pada tahun 2016 telah membuka ruang kerjasama pertahanan yang semakin berkembang. Salah satu pencapaian hubungan ini adalah penyerahan dua kapal peronda Tentera Laut Republik Singapura iaitu Kelas ‘Fearless’ kepada Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei pada tahun 2023 yang kini dinamakan KDB As-Siddiq dan KDB Al-Faruq.
Tuan Yang Terutama Vice Admiral Aaron Beng dan rombongan berada di negara ini bagi lawatan rasmi selama tiga hari bermula dari 31 Januari hingga 02 Februari 2024.