THE EMPIRE BRUNEI, Monday, 12 January 2026 – The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) hosted an Opening Dinner at the Indera Samudera Hall, The Empire Brunei, to mark the commencement of joint activities commemorating the Golden Jubilee of defence relations between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The dinner celebrated a half-century of unwavering friendship and strategic partnership between the two armed forces.
Present as the Guest of Honour was Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II. Also in attendance were senior leadership and personnel from both armed forces.
Also invited as special guests were former Commanders of the RBAF, former Services Commanders and former Defence Advisers of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Singapore, symbolising the continuity of leadership and the intergenerational legacy of a bilateral relationship that has evolved from humble beginnings into a cornerstone of special defence diplomacy.
The event began with the singing of the national anthems of both countries, followed by a corporate video highlighting the RBAF-SAF relationship since 1976. The video showcased five decades of defence cooperation through joint exercises, officer exchanges, capability development, and collaborative training, enhancing readiness and fostering lasting professional ties. These achievements underscore a strategic partnership built on trust, interoperability, and a shared commitment to regional peace and security, contributing significantly to ASEAN efforts in addressing maritime disputes, terrorism, and disaster management.
Subsequently, His Excellency Vice Admiral Dato Paduka Seri Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force of the SAF, delivered his opening remarks, where he emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, "Over 50 years, our collaboration has evolved from military cooperation into a key pillar safeguarding our shared interests amid a dynamic geopolitical landscape. From joint exercises in Brunei’s jungles to advanced simulations in Singapore’s urban settings, we have built a synergy that reflects mutual respect and strategic alignment."
The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Logo, symbolising the close ties between the RBAF and the SAF which is built on trust and loyalty. This was followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting honouring past achievements and future aspirations, marking the formal commencement of a series of commemorative activities throughout 2026.
These activities will include joint exercises, cultural exchanges, strategic dialogues, and a Closing Dinner to be held in the Republic of Singapore. Collectively, it demonstrates the continued commitment of the RBAF and the SAF in strengthening bilateral defence relations, enhancing military cooperation and capabilities, and contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Amid global uncertainty, this enduring partnership stands as a testament to shared values, trust, and long-standing cooperation.
The evening concluded with a group photo session.
MAJLIS MAKAN MALAM PEMBUKAAN SEMPENA SAMBUTAN JUBLI EMAS HUBUNGAN PERTAHANAN DI ANTARA ANGKATAN BERSENJATA DIRAJA BRUNEI DAN ANGKATAN BERSENJATA REPUBLIK SINGAPURA
THE EMPIRE BRUNEI, Isnin, 12 Januari 2026 – Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Singapura (ABRS) telah menganjurkan Majlis Makan Malam Pembukaan di Dewan Indera Samudera,
The Empire Brunei, bagi menandakan permulaan aktiviti bersama sempena Sambutan Jubli Emas hubungan pertahanan antara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Singapura (ABRS). Majlis makan malam tersebut meraikan setengah abad persahabatan yang kukuh dan perkongsian strategik yang berterusan antara kedua-dua angkatan bersenjata.
Hadir selaku Tetamu Kehormat ialah Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II. Turut hadir ialah kepimpinan kanan dan anggota daripada kedua-dua angkatan tentera.
Turut diundang sebagai jemputan khas ialah mantan-mantan Pemerintah ABDB,
mantan-mantan Pemerintah Angkatan Tentera serta mantan-mantan Penasihat Pertahanan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke Republik Singapura, yang melambangkan kesinambungan kepimpinan dan legasi antara generasi dalam hubungan dua hala yang telah berkembang daripada permulaan yang sederhana menjadi salah satu tonggak utama diplomasi pertahanan yang istimewa.
Majlis dimulakan dengan nyanyian lagu kebangsaan daripada kedua-dua negara, diikuti dengan tayangan video korporat yang mengetengahkan hubungan ABDB-ABRS sejak tahun 1976. Video tersebut memaparkan kerjasama pertahanan selama lima dekad melalui pelaksanaan latihan bersama, pertukaran pegawai, pembangunan keupayaan, serta latihan kolaboratif, yang telah meningkatkan tahap kesiapsiagaan dan memupuk hubungan profesional yang berkekalan. Pencapaian ini mencerminkan perkongsian strategik yang dibina atas kepercayaan, interoperabiliti dan komitmen bersama terhadap keamanan serta keselamatan serantau, sekaligus menyumbang secara signifikan kepada usaha ASEAN dalam menangani pertikaian maritim, keganasan dan pengurusan bencana.
Seterusnya, Tuan Yang Terutama Laksamana Madya Dato Paduka Seri Aaron Beng, Ketua Turus ABRS, telah menyampaikan ucapan pembukaan. Beliau menekankan kepentingan strategik hubungan pertahanan ini, menyatakan, "Selama lebih 50 tahun, kerjasama kita telah berkembang daripada kerjasama ketenteraan menjadi tonggak utama yang melindungi kepentingan bersama di tengah-tengah landskap geopolitik yang dinamik. Daripada latihan bersama di hutan Brunei kepada simulasi lanjutan di persekitaran bandar Singapura, kita telah membina sinergi yang mencerminkan rasa hormat bersama dan penjajaran strategik."
Acara kemuncak pada malam tersebut ialah pelancaran Logo Peringatan Jubli Emas, yang melambangkan hubungan erat antara ABDB dan ABRS yang dibina melalui kepercayaan dan kesetiaan. Acara ini diikuti dengan upacara memotong kek serta sebagai tanda penghargaan terhadap pencapaian lalu dan aspirasi masa hadapan, sekaligus menandakan permulaan rasmi siri aktiviti peringatan sepanjang tahun 2026.
Aktiviti-aktiviti tersebut akan merangkumi latihan bersama, pertukaran budaya, dialog strategik serta Majlis Makan Malam Penutup yang akan diadakan di Republik Singapura. Secara kolektif, ia mencerminkan komitmen berterusan ABDB dan ABRS dalam memperkukuhkan hubungan pertahanan dua hala, meningkatkan kerjasama dan keupayaan ketenteraan, serta menyumbang kepada keamanan, kestabilan dan kemakmuran serantau. Di tengah-tengah ketidakpastian global, perkongsian yang berkekalan ini menjadi bukti kepada nilai bersama, kepercayaan dan kerjasama jangka panjang yang telah terjalin.
Majlis diakhiri dengan sesi bergambar ramai.
