• Today: October 11, 2026

Celebration marks 50 years of Brunei-Singapore defence ties

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 Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong during the celebration at the Royal Brunei Navy Base in Muara on Saturday. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

Marking five decades of close defence relations between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, 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 Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong attended the Grand Finale Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Brunei Darussalam-Republic of Singapore Defence Relations at the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Base in Muara on Saturday.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and His Royal Highness 920 Lieutenant Colonel (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; and His Royal Highness 920 Lieutenant Colonel (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, Minister of Foreign Affairs with Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong during the ceremony at the Royal Brunei Navy Base in Muara. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

The arrival of His Majesty and members of the royal family at the Muara Naval Base’s Helipad was welcomed by Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan with the Commander of the RBN.

Also present at the ceremony were Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence of Singapore Chan Chun Sing; Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim; and Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Vice Admiral Dato Paduka Seri Aaron Beng.

His Majesty with the Prime Minister of Singapore. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

His Majesty and members of the royal family proceeded to the Holding Room at the Warrant Officers’, Chief Petty Officers’ and Petty Officers’ Mess, to meet with the Prime Minister of Singapore and members of the Singapore delegation.

His Majesty and the Prime Minister of Singapore as well as members of the royal family and Singapore delegation proceeded to the RBN Parade Square to witness the Joint Parade, which marked the highlight of the Golden Jubilee Celebration.

His Majesty proceeded to the Royal Dais to receive the Royal Salute, after the Prime Minister of Singapore received the Prime Minister’s Salute. His Majesty the Prime Minister of Singapore then inspected the Joint Parade, commanded by Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Sufrien bin Johan with Warrant Officer II Sng Ping Yi of the SAF serving as the Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).

The parade comprised 252 personnel from the RBAF and SAF, representing the RBLF, Singapore Army, RBN, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), as well as the Combined RBAF and SAF Band. The Joint Parade, which was complemented by a showcase of RBAF and SAF assets. The parade continued with a quick march-past, followed by the ‘Advance in Review Order’. His Majesty then consented to deliver a titah in conjunction with the celebration, followed by three resounding chants of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’.

Doa Selamat was recited by Acting Director of the RBAF Religious Directorate (JAMA’AT) Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Mujib bin Haji Japar.

His Majesty and the Prime Minister of Singapore were then jointly accorded the Royal Salute on the Royal Dais as the national anthems of Brunei Darussalam and Singapore were played in succession.

The ceremony continued with a sail-past by the RBN ships KDB DARUSSALAM and KDB AL-FARUQ, together with the Republic of Singapore Navy’s MSRV PROTECTOR, followed by a fly-past involving five helicopters comprising the RBAirF’s S-70i Black Hawk and the SAF’s H225.

His Majesty and the Prime Minister of Singapore, as well as members of the royal family proceeded to the Warrant Officers’, Chief Petty Officers’ and Petty Officers’ Mess for the launch of the Brunei Darussalam and Republic of Singapore Defence Relations Golden Jubilee Gallery, where His Majesty consented to receive the Commemorative Book and Commemorative Coin, followed by the presentation to the Prime Minister of Singapore.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah; and His Royal Highness 920 Lieutenant Colonel (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen touring the gallery. PHOTOS: RAFI ROSLI

The gallery showcases the special and longstanding defence relations between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore through a visual journey spanning five decades of bilateral relations between the two countries, beginning from the reign of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, the 28th Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, together with Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew. This close relationship is continued and further strengthened under the leadership of His Majesty, together with successive leaders of Singapore, and continues to flourish to this day.

His Majesty and the Prime Minister of Singapore with members of the royal family proceeded to the RBN Officers’ Mess where His Majesty graced the Golden Jubilee Cake-Cutting Ceremony together with the Prime Minister of Singapore. The ceremony then witnessed His Majesty consenting to receive a pesambah, followed by the presentation of a commemorative gift to the Prime Minister of Singapore, before concluding with the Royal Luncheon.

His Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and His Royal Highness 920 Lieutenant Colonel (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, with the Prime Minister of Singapore during the Royal Luncheon. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony, His Majesty, together with the Prime Minister of Singapore, were introduced to members of the Combined RBAF and SAF Band, followed by a Junjung Ziarah with RBAF and SAF personnel involved in the Joint Parade. His Majesty also consented to sign the Royal Parchment, while the Prime Minister of Singapore signed the Commemorative Parchment.

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNWO BULLETIN/James Kon

Venues

BSB

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Leave a Comment

Total visitors: 3,720,794 | Today's visitors: 20,408
Updated: 20:31:03