MFA Press Statement: Official visit of HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam, 1 to 5 September 2014

            His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, will make a five-day official visit to Singapore from 1 to 5 September 2014 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean.  His Royal Highness is visiting for the Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP), which the two countries launched last year. The inaugural YLP took place from 19 to 21 August 2013 when DPM Teo visited Brunei accompanied by a group of young Singapore leaders. The YLP is intended to strengthen ties between the younger leaders from both countries.  This visit reaffirms the excellent relations and longstanding friendship between Singapore and Brunei.

            His Royal Highness will be accompanied by Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, and his children, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Muntaqim and Her Royal Highness Princess Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah.  Other members of the Bruneian delegation include Minister of Development Pehin Haji Suyoi Osman, Deputy Minister of Finance Dato Paduka Haji Bahrin Abdullah, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Paduka Haji Ali Apong, and a number of senior officials.

            During the visit, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Tan will host Their Royal Highnesses to tea, while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will host lunch for His Royal Highness and members of the Bruneian delegation.  A Welcome Dinner will be hosted by DPM Teo and Mrs Teo, and His Royal Highness will also meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

            In addition, His Royal Highness will visit the Singapore Armed Forces’ Multi-Mission Range Complex, hosted by Second Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing.  Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat will host His Royal Highness to a site visit at Henry Park Primary School. His Royal Highness will also visit the new Singapore Sports Hub. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong and Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee will brief His Royal Highness on Singapore’s preparations for the SEA Games and update him on recent major development projects in Singapore when he visits the Singapore Sport Hub. The Defence, Education and National Development components of His Royal Highness’ visit reflect the close working relationship between Singapore and Brunei across a wide range of areas.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

31 AUGUST 2014