In celebrating the 40 years of diplomatic friendship, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore will continue to reflect on the shared achievement over the years and look toward the future in working together to safeguard common aspirations and interests.
The mutual commitment to further deepen trade linkages in food, medical products, and energy is also lauded with continued people-to-people exchange programmes that will further strengthen the affinity shared between the people of Brunei and Singapore.
This was stated in a titah delivered by 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 Brunei Darussalam during a state banquet last night at Istana Nurul Iman.
The banquet, hosted by His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, was held in conjunction with the three-day state visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and spouse Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam as well as delegation.
His Majesty began the titah by congratulating President Tharman on his appointment as the ninth president of Singapore.
“I am confident you will continue ‘Singapore’s Success Story’ in leading the country’s multicultural society towards more outstanding excellence and innovation in the coming years,” His Majesty said.
“Brunei Darussalam and Singapore share deep-rooted ties that predate formal diplomatic relations established four decades ago. It began with the close friendship in the 60s between my late father, Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, and the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.”
The monarch also brought up the warm and candid exchanges on regional challenges and many major power competitions at that time.
“This enduring friendship and a shared vision for the two small Southeast Asian states to work together has led to solid cooperation in currency interchangeability and excellent defence ties that we continue to enjoy today,” His Majesty said.
His Majesty is also pleased to see that the younger generation of leaders also nurture this special friendship, and was delighted that Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently led the Singapore delegation for the Young Leaders Programme, which marks its 10th year this year. The monarch highlighted that the programme is an important foundation for ensuring strong and close personal relationship between officials that will endure well into the future.
His Majesty ended the titah by highlighting that Brunei has always valued Singapore’s cooperation and support on ASEAN, especially in working toward the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and in promoting regional peace and prosperity.
The monarch then said that the journey for the past 40 years is indeed an occasion to be celebrated and Brunei looks forward to continuing these special and unique ties with Singapore in the years ahead. His Majesty then wished the president and spouse continued good health and happiness, and for the people of Singapore’s progress and prosperity.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah binti Adam were present at the state banquet.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also in attendance.
Also present at the state banquet were members of the royal family and members of the Singapore delegation.
The banquet began with a recitation of Doa Selamat by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
This was followed by His Majesty’s titah and a speech by President Tharman.
The president noted remarkable developments in Brunei Darussalam including the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge which is a testimony to progress in the Sultanate achieved under His Majesty’s leadership.
President Tharman said Singapore and Brunei have a long-standing special friendship defined by symbiotic relationship including the Currency Interchangeability Agreement and Singapore Armed Forces training in the Sultanate as well as special relationship between both governments and peoples.
The president said there is an agreement between Brunei and Singapore to mark the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations this year with exchanges of visits and joint activities, supported by two memorandums of understanding signed during His Majesty’s state visit to Singapore in 2022. One is the establishment of Brunei Darussalam-Singapore Youth Education Scholarship and the other is on civil service cooperation.
President Tharman said that in a discussion with His Majesty, it was agreed that both sides will accelerate efforts to explore innovative and mutually beneficial projects such as green economy, aquaculture and digital finance.
The president said Singapore cherishes its special relationship with Brunei and is committed to building on the solid foundation laid by the late Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien and Lee Kuan Yew by raising strategic partnership to an even higher level underpinned by trust.
President Tharman ended the speech by extending best wishes to Their Majesties, the royal family and the people of Brunei. – Adib Noor
