Bandar Seri Begawan, February 2 (AseanAll) — Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, received in audience Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces held at Istana Nurul Iman on February 1, 2024.
Accompanying Aaron Beng were Laurence Bay Siow Hon, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam, Colonel Peter Chee, Defence Adviser at the Republic of Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, Colonel Lim Huay Wen, Head of Joint Research Department and Colonel Joseph Peh, Head of Joint Manpower Department from Singapore Armed Forces.
Also present were Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Brunei Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II and Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
Meanwhile in a separate audience, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam also received in audience Mrs Sharon Beng, spouse of the Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces.
Accompanying Mrs Sharon Beng were Madam Elizabeth Bay, spouse of High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Negara Brunei Darussalam and Mrs Ellis Chee, spouse of Defence Adviser at the Republic of Singapore High Commission in Brunei Darussalam. Also present was Datin Ummisyafinah binti Haji Zaini, spouse of the Commander of RBAF.
This year Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore marked a historical milestone with the celebration of 40 years diplomatic relations between the two countries sharing a strong and long-standing history of defence cooperation which comprises various visits, professional exchanges, assets, exercises, training and courses. With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in the year 2016, it has enhanced more opportunities for defence cooperation. One of the achievements of this strong relationship is the handover of two Fearless class patrol vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy to the Royal Brunei Navy in 2023 last year which now renamed as KDB AS-Siddiq and KDB AL-Faruq.
Aaron Beng and his delegation are currently in Negara Brunei Darussalam for a three-day official visit from 31 January 2024 to 02 February 2024.
