13-9-2023 (SINGAPORE) – Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei is currently in Singapore for his inaugural official visit under the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF) program, which is scheduled to take place from September 11 to 14.
The prince was warmly received by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and LKYEF chairman Lee Tzu Yang, who hosted a dinner in his honor on September 12. Expressing his delight, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated in a Facebook post that Prince Mateen’s visit serves as a reaffirmation of the “unique and historic partnership” between Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
During his visit, the prince has engaged in discussions with various ministers, participated in briefings, and conducted site visits related to a wide range of topics, including economic transformation, urban planning, education, defense, sustainable development, and entrepreneurship.
Prince Mateen is scheduled to meet with key Singaporean leaders, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Education Maliki Osman.
Notably, the prince has garnered significant attention on social media, with admirers affectionately referring to him as “prince charming” and “the most handsome prince in the world.” At 32 years old, Prince Mateen is the fourth son of Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and is sixth in line to the Bruneian throne.
This visit marks Prince Mateen’s second trip to Singapore, with his previous visit coinciding with the 2022 Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Grand Prix.
Singapore and Brunei have enjoyed a “longstanding and special relationship” since 1984. In January 2023, Minister Lawrence Wong made his inaugural official overseas trip to Brunei. In August 2022, Sultan Bolkiah visited Singapore on his fifth state visit, during which two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed.
The Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF), established in 1991, invites exceptional individuals for high-level visits to Singapore based on their distinguished track records and potential to make significant contributions to their respective nations and enhance bilateral relationships with Singapore. Prince Mateen is the 75th LKYEF Fellow and the sixth from Brunei to participate in the program.
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