Brunei Defence Minister II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (MG)(Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. During their meeting, Dr Ng and Pehin MG(Rtd) Halbi reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Brunei. As part of his programme, Pehin MG(Rtd) Halbi also reviewed a Guard of Honour, and visited the Cybersecurity Operations, Sensing, Monitoring and Investigation Centre (COSMIC), where he was briefed on the cyber defence capabilities and 24/7 cybersecurity operations of MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Pehin MG(Rtd) Halbi, who is in Singapore for his introductory visit from 13 to 15 August 2018, also called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana yesterday. He will be hosted to a breakfast by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean tomorrow, prior to a visit to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Command at Murai Camp.

Pehin MG(Rtd) Halbi's visit underscores the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Brunei. The SAF and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces interact regularly through bilateral exercises, cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges and visits. Such interactions have fostered mutual understanding and enhanced interoperability between the two armed forces, as well as forged strong rapport and camaraderie among their personnel.