| Azaraimy HH |
AIMING to further bolster the already existing strong security alliance, Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Technology Cooperation yesterday.
Based on the principles of equality, mutual benefits and respect for the sovereignty of both nations, the MoU aims to promote cooperation in key areas of defence technology, including research and development, sharing of knowledge and best practices in defence acquisitions, and cooperation and collaboration in technology management, the Ministry of Defence said in a press statement.
Signing on behalf of Brunei was Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, while Republic of Singapore was represented by Ng Chee Khern, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development).
The signing was witnessed by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, Republic of Singapore and First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Deputy Minister of Defence.
Dr Ng Eng Hen and his delegation comprising the Chief of Defence Force of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Perry Lim, Ng Chee Khern and a number of senior officers from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Singapore and SAF, arrived in Brunei for a two-day working visit yesterday.
The minister and his team are here to commemorate the 40th anniversary of bilateral defence relations between Brunei and Singapore, which began in 1976. Signing of the MoU at the Bolkiah Garrison, Ministry of Defence was part of the commemorative event.
Photo shows Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, Republic of Singapore and First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Brunei’s Deputy Minister of Defence. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Technology Cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore by Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and Ng Chee Khern, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Singapore.
The delegation is scheduled for royal audiences on August 30 with 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 at Istana Nurul Iman and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, at Qashr Al-Meezaan.
Before witnessing the signing ceremony, Dr Ng Eng Hen was welcomed to the Ministry of Defence with a guard of honour mounted by the personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
He then called on the Deputy Minister of defence of Brunei Darussalam and discussed matters of common interest.
After the signing ceremony, the Minister and the Deputy Minister toured a mini gallery depicting images of the four decades of defence interaction between the two countries.
Another commemorative activity planned is a fly-out visit on today to KDB Darulehsan, to observe the 35th series of Exercise Pelican, which has been ongoing since August 24.
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