Brunei is Singapore’s ‘special and most trusted partner’: PM Lawrence Wong

PM Wong committed to extend cooperation in new fields such as carbon markets and renewable energy, as well as urban planning, the digital economy and food security.

Tham Yuen-C

Tham Yuen-C

The Straits Times

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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong inspecting the guard of honour at a welcome ceremony at Brunei International Airport on June 11. PHOTO: MCI/ THE STRAITS TIMES

June 12, 2024

SINGAPORE – Singapore and Brunei have stood by each other over the decades, and will continue to be natural partners as two small countries navigating an increasingly dangerous and turbulent world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 11.

Affirming the special relationship between both sides, he said the close neighbours are firmly committed to extending cooperation into new areas as they mark 40 years of diplomatic ties this year.

These include fields under sustainability such as carbon markets and renewable energy, as well as urban planning, the digital economy and food security, PM Wong said in a toast speech at a lunch hosted by Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

PM Wong, who is on his first overseas trip since he took office in May, arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan in the morning with his wife, Ms Loo Tze Lui. He was received by Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Al-Muhtadee Billah and his wife, Princess Pengiran Anak Sarah.

He then had an audience with Sultan Bolkiah and his wife, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, before the royal couple hosted him and his delegation to an official lunch at the Istana Nurul Iman.

PM Wong said the longstanding Singapore tradition for new leaders to kick off introductory visits in the region with Brunei reflects the special relationship the two countries have shared across successive generations of leaders.

Former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong did so when he took office in 2004, and both President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former president Halimah Yacob also made Brunei their first stop for their overseas state visits.

“This reflects the importance that Singapore accords to our relationship with Brunei, our special and most trusted partner,” said PM Wong.

At the official lunch, Sultan Bolkiah said the key pillars of Singapore and Brunei’s partnership are in defence and finance, to which PM Wong agreed.

The jungles of Temburong have been an excellent and realistic training ground for generations of Singaporeans, “including me and many in my delegation”, noted PM Wong.

“This has contributed to the operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces, and we are continuing to do more to enhance the professionalism of our respective armed forces and build trust between them,” he added.

In December 2023, he had witnessed the commissioning of KDB Al-Faruq, the second of two former Fearless-class Patrol Vessels transferred from the Republic of Singapore Navy to the Royal Brunei Navy.

On finance, PM Wong said the currency interchangeability agreement established 57 years ago continues to facilitate mutual investments, trade and tourism, and remains a hallmark of Singapore and Brunei’s unique relationship.

Under the 1967 agreement, both countries accept the currency notes and coins issued by the other, and exchange them at par and without charge into their own currency.

Underpinning all cooperation between the two countries are investments in developing people-to-people ties, both between government officials and citizens, said PM Wong.

He cited the inaugural batch of Bruneian officials seconded to Singapore government agencies under a work placement programme, who completed their stint in May. Work has already started on the next edition of the programme, he added.

An earlier initiative, the Young Leaders’ Programme, is now in its 10th edition. PM Wong recounted that he was among the young Singapore office-holders who had participated in the inaugural programme in 2013.

Exchanges like this ensure that officials at various levels from both sides continue to share best practices while building up their personal links with each other, he said.

PM Wong also thanked Sultan Bolkiah for his longstanding and wise stewardship of ties between both countries.

“As my team and I take over the leadership baton in Singapore, we will build on the strong foundations laid down by our predecessors… and take our relations to even greater heights,” said PM Wong.

In the evening, PM Wong left for Malaysia for the second leg of his trip.

On June 12, he will meet Malaysian Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Anwar Ibrahim, as well as other Malaysian leaders such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Fadillah Yusof.

In Kuala Lumpur, PM Wong will be accompanied by Mrs Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister of State for Communications and Information and Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam.

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