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 received in audience Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.
Accompanying Vice Admiral Beng were Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Laurence Bay Siow Hon; Defence Adviser at Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam Colonel Peter Chee; Head of SAF Joint Research Department Colonel Lim Huay Wen; and Head of SAF Joint Manpower Department Colonel Joseph Peh.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan were also present.
Meanwhile, in a separate audience, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam met with the spouse of the SAF Chief of Defence Force Sharon Beng.
Spouse of Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Elizabeth Bay, spouse of Defence Adviser at Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam Ellis Chee and spouse of the Commander of the RBAF Datin Ummisyafinah binti Haji Zaini were also present at the event.
This year the Sultanate and Singapore mark a milestone with the celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations, sharing a strong and long-standing history of defence cooperation which includes visits, professional exchanges, assets, exercises, training and courses.
With the signing of the memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation in 2016, it has enhanced more opportunities for defence cooperation. One of the achievements of the strong relationship is the handover of two Fearless class patrol vessels from the Singapore Navy to the Royal Brunei Navy last year, which have been renamed KDB AS-Siddiq and KDB AL-Faruq.
Vice Admiral Beng and his delegation are in the country for a three-day official visit, from January 31 until today.
