Second Minister for Defence Makes Introductory Visit to Brunei

Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung, who is in Brunei for an introductory visit, had a call with Brunei's Deputy Minister of Defence Yang Mulia First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohammad Tamit earlier today. During the call, Mr Ong and Dato Aziz reaffirmed the close and longstanding bilateral defence relations and discussed Singapore's upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Chairmanship. Prior to the call, Mr Ong also met with Brunei's Deputy Minister (Security and Media) at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Hamdan bin Haji Abu Bakar.

As part of his introductory visit, Mr Ong also visited Singapore Armed Forces servicemen undergoing jungle confidence and survival training in Temburong, Brunei yesterday.

Mr Ong is part of a delegation of younger Singapore political office holders that arrived in Brunei on 3 November 2017 for the fifth Young Leaders' Programme (YLP). The YLP is an annual exchange of visits which aims to strengthen ties between Brunei and Singapore, in particular between the younger generation of leaders. Brunei and Singapore take turns to host the YLP. Mr Ong's introductory visit to Brunei concludes today.

Mr Ong's visit to Brunei underscores the close and longstanding defence ties between Singapore and Brunei. Both defence establishments interact through frequent bilateral exercises, visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses.