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 and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday received in audience President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam and spouse Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam at Cheradi Laila Kenchana at Istana Nurul Iman.
Members of the royal family were present. The delegation from Singapore, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II as Minister-in-Attendance Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah and spouse were also in attendance.
Following the audience ceremony, His Majesty held a bilateral meeting with the Singaporean President at Cheradi Ratna Kenchana.
During the meeting, His Majesty and the Singaporean President reaffirmed the longstanding special relationship between the Sultanate and Singapore, and noted the significance of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.
Both leaders also looked forward to a series of commemorative events to celebrate the milestone, and agreed to explore efforts to continue deepening bilateral cooperation by highlighting three main areas namely people-to-people exchanges, renewable energy and food security.
The visit marks the Singaporean President’s first overseas state visit as the President of Singapore since his appointment on September 14, 2023.
In commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brunei and Singapore this year, the visit also serves to strengthen the special relationship that has long been established since the time of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and the late Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore.
