MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of his HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Negara Brunei Darussalam, 27 Nov to 2 Dec 2016

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted Brunei Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah to lunch at the Istana on 28 November 2016. [Photo credit: MCI]

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Mrs Teo hosted His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah to dinner on 28 November 2016. [Photo credit: MFA]

Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam hosted His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the Home Team Tactical Centre on 30 November 2016. [Photo credit: MFA]

Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran briefed His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah on the Committee on the Future Economy on 30 November 2016. [Photo credit: MFA]

                His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, is concluding his six-day official visit to Singapore for the 4^th Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP). 

                On 28 November 2016, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted His Royal Highness to lunch at the Istana.  The leaders had a fruitful exchange on bilateral cooperation between Singapore and Brunei, and discussed developments in the two countries, including the economy and education.  That evening, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Mrs Teo hosted His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah to a welcome dinner.  DPM Teo and His Royal Highness reaffirmed the importance of the YLP as a key platform to strengthen and deepen the ties between the leaders of Singapore and Brunei.

                Earlier in the day, His Royal Highness was also briefed by Head of Civil Service (HCS) and Permanent Secretary (Prime Minister’s Office; Strategy) Peter Ong on the role and functions of the Strategy Group at the Prime Minister’s Office.  HCS shared with His Royal Highness the Singapore Government’s approach towards strategic planning, whole-of-government policy coordination and strategic foresight.

                On 29 November 2016, DPM Teo and Mrs Teo accompanied Their Royal Highnesses and their children, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Muntaqim and Her Royal Highness Princess Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah, for a morning stroll at Coney Island and a tour of Punggol Waterway.  DPM Teo, who is also a Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, explained the recent developments that had taken place in the area, including how Singapore integrated urban development with nature, as well as future developments under the Punggol 21 plan.  DPM Teo and Mrs Teo then hosted Their Royal Highnesses to breakfast at Punggol SAFRA.

                On 30 November 2016, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam hosted His Royal Highness to a tour of the Home Team Tactical Centre (HTTC).  His Royal Highness witnessed a counter-terrorism demonstration conducted by the Singapore Police Force and was briefed on the HTTC’s integral role in synergising the training and operations of the various Home Team units.

                Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran also briefed His Royal Highness on the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE). Minister Iswaran shared how the CFE will develop and recommend strategies for Singapore to remain a vibrant and resilient economy with sustainable growth that creates value and opportunities for all.  

                On 1 December 2016, Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung hosted His Royal Highness to a visit at the SAF’s Armour Simulation Centre at Sungei Gedong Camp.  His Royal Highness witnessed a demonstration of the SAF’s newest simulation systems, the Armour Driving Simulator and the Armour Gunnery and Manoeuvre Simulator.

                 The YLP is the key platform for young leaders from Singapore and Brunei to build closer ties and to exchange views on bilateral and international issues. The 5^th YLP will be held in Brunei in 2017.

                His Royal Highness departs from Singapore tomorrow.        

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

1 DECEMBER 2016