26-1-2024 (SINGAPORE) President Tharman Shanmugaratnam expressed the depth of the special relationship between Brunei and Singapore during a state banquet held on January 25. The President highlighted the symbiotic nature of this relationship, which has flourished over four decades, citing examples such as defense cooperation and the Currency Interchangeability Agreement.
President Tharman encouraged both countries to further expand their bilateral cooperation into new and emerging areas. He emphasized the importance of trust between the two nations, particularly among future generations of Bruneians and Singaporeans, to strengthen the foundation laid by the late Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
During the banquet hosted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha at the Istana Nurul Iman, President Tharman expressed Singapore’s commitment to building on the solid foundation and expressed interest in innovative and mutually beneficial projects. He highlighted areas such as the green economy, aquaculture industries, cold-chain logistics, and digital finance as potential avenues for collaboration.
President Tharman praised Brunei’s potential to develop renewable energy on a significant scale beyond its domestic needs, which could be integrated within an ASEAN energy grid. He also mentioned the promising aquaculture industry in Brunei and the potential for collaboration in this field, including the development of cold-chain logistics. Additionally, he acknowledged Brunei’s upcoming launch of a domestic system for instant payments and emphasized the benefits of integrating it with Singapore’s PayNow system and similar systems across ASEAN.
The state visit, which marks the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations between Brunei and Singapore, is President Tharman’s first overseas state visit since taking office. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in safeguarding common aspirations and interests, both bilaterally and within ASEAN.
During the state visit, President Tharman and his wife, Mrs. Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, participated in various engagements, including a royal audience with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and bilateral meetings. The President also visited Temburong, Brunei’s easternmost district, where he interacted with Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officer cadets undergoing training. He commended the cadets for their professionalism and toughness in the demanding jungle environment and encouraged them to use the experience to develop valuable skills and confidence.
Singapore and Brunei have maintained a close defense relationship since 1976, with troops from Singapore training in Brunei and frequent bilateral exercises and professional exchanges between the SAF and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The recent conclusion of Exercise Maju Bersama, involving personnel from the 1st Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Battalion Royal Brunei Land Force, further strengthened the regional peace and security cooperation between the two nations.
