MFA Press Statement: Visit of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Negara Brunei Darussalam

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is on the second day of his three-day visit to Brunei. The day began with a morning walk and breakfast with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, at Tasek Lama Park in Bandar Seri Begawan.

PM Lee then received a briefing on Brunei’s energy sector from Minister of Energy in the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Yasmin Umar. Pehin Yasmin outlined Brunei’s vision for developing its oil and gas industry.

This was followed by a lunch for PM and Mrs Lee hosted by the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah Salleh. During lunch, PM Lee reaffirmed the strong historical bonds between Brunei and Singapore, and discussed with His Royal Highness how to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Later, PM Lee met with Speaker of the Legislative Council Pehin Isa Ibrahim. The discussion centred on the state of bilateral relations. Both PM Lee and Pehin Isa agreed that we should continue to maintain close ties at all levels, including between Singapore’s Parliament and Brunei’s Legislative Council.

PM Lee visited Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) this afternoon, where he was hosted by Minister of Education Pehin Abu Bakar Apong and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dato Zulkarnain Hanafi. PM Lee was briefed and given a tour of the UBD campus. PM Lee reaffirmed the importance of education as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. PM Lee noted that there were strong ties between schools on both sides and many Singaporean students visited Brunei during the school holidays for joint activities with their Bruneian counterparts. PM Lee highlighted that Singapore and Brunei would be stepping up our interactions under the 2006 Education Memorandum of Understanding through three enhanced initiatives, namely expanded cooperation in the special education sector, a scaled-up school twinning programme, and a new Malay Language immersion programme for Singapore educators (details at Annex).

This evening, PM Lee will be hosted to dinner by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Zariah.

PM Lee returns to Singapore tomorrow.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 OCTOBER 2012