KUALA LUMPUR: PM Lawrence Wong, who concluded his first overseas trip after becoming Singapore’s Prime Minister on June 11th (Tuesday), expressed his appreciation to Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for his steadfast support of diplomatic relations over the last 40 years and reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to strengthening the special ties between Singapore and Brunei. They were also invited to have an official lunch as a gesture of hospitality and respect.
The two countries officially established diplomatic relations in 1984. On Tuesday, PM Wong said in a Facebook post, “Singapore and Brunei enjoy a special relationship, which predates the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between our two nations”.
In the past forty years, both countries have supported each other through good and bad times, he added.
Honored With Official Lunch by Bruneian Leader
PM Wong, who is also Singapore’s Minister of Finance, said “As two of the smallest countries in the region, we share similar perspectives across many strategic issues. I value the close links with Brunei and that’s why Brunei is my first stop in my introductory visits to Southeast Asian capitals,”
On the same day, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, a senior minister at Brunei’s Prime Minister’s Office, and his wife Sarah hosted a welcome ceremony at the Brunei International Airport to Mr Wong, together with his wife Loo Tze Lui and the Singapore delegation.
Mr Wong was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu, National Development Minister Desmond Lee and Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Communications and Information.
The Singapore delegation had a formal meeting with the sultan and his wife Queen Saleha at the Istana Nurul Iman and was hosted to an official lunch by the Bruneian leader.
PM Wong Conveys Gratitude For Brunei’s Support
Mr Wong expressed gratitude to the sultan for his longstanding support for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training in Brunei and conveyed appreciation for the deep and multifaceted cooperation between the armed forces of both nations.
He also reaffirmed the importance of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement which has strengthened bilateral financial and economic cooperation since it was established on Jun 12, 1967.
Also, Mr. Wong expressed Singapore’s anticipation of hosting Billah Crown Prince and his wife for the 10th edition of the program later this year.
