Brunei–Singapore relations

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Brunei–Singapore relations
Brunei Singapore Locator.svg
Flag of Brunei.svg
Brunei
Flag of Singapore.svg
Singapore
Diplomatic mission
Singapore High Commission, Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei High Commission, Singapore
Envoy
High Commissioner Lim Hong Huai [1] Ambassador Haji Saifulbahri bin Haji Awang Mansor [2]

Brunei and Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1984. Brunei has a high commission in Singapore, and Singapore has a high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan. [3] Brunei and Singapore have close and friendly relations with extensive defence co-operation. [4] [3] [5] Both countries are members of ASEAN and Commonwealth of Nations.

Contents

History

The official relations between the two countries were established in 1984. [4] [3] In 2012, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah attended the 3rd Singapore Airshow and met the current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, while Teo Chee Hean visited Brunei the same year. [3]

Economic and monetary relations

Several memorandum of understanding have been signed and there is a Currency Interchangeability Agreement between the two countries which makes both Brunei dollar and Singapore dollar banknotes and coins legal tender in either country. [3] [6]

Security relations

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has trained many Bruneian soldiers for a period of time. [5] [7] As compensation, Brunei granted the Singapore Armed Forces to build a permanent jungle training camp in Temburong, named Lakiun Camp and officially opened in 1977. [8] [9] Brunei and Singapore began Exercise Airguard in 1994, which involves joint training between the Royal Brunei Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, with the states alternating as hosts. The Republic of Singapore Navy also hosts exercises with Royal Brunei Navy every year named Exercise Pelican. [10] The exercises usually involve around 70 personnel from both nations. [10]

Further reading

Related Research Articles

Brunei joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, one week after resuming full independence, and gives its ASEAN membership the highest priority in its foreign relations. Brunei joined the United Nations in September 1984. It is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Commonwealth of Nations. Brunei hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2000. In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Singapore</span> Overview of the foreign relations of Singapore

Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with 189 UN member states. The three exceptions are the Central African Republic, Monaco and South Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Armed Forces</span> Military of Singapore

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military services of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A military component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the armed forces have four service branches: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Digital and Intelligence Service. An integrated force, it is one of the most capable, robust, technologically sophisticated and powerful militaries in Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions. The SAF is headed by the chief of defence force, appointed by the president of Singapore, on the advice of the Cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Armed Forces Band</span> Military band from Singapore

The Singapore Armed Forces Band form the musical arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. Consisting of the SAF Central Band and the SAF Ceremonial Band, the SAF Band provides musical support for key events such as the National Day Parade, SAF Day Parade, Passing Out Parades, Change of Command Parades and other military duties. Other than discharging ceremonial duties, the SAF Band also presents public concerts that aim to bring a wide range of music to the populace. They also seek to build up the band's music repertoire into an extensive array of styles and variety.

Singapore has had an history of armed conflict and personnel dating to the colonial period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military forces based in Brunei</span>

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) is the military of the sultanate nation of Brunei Darussalam. In addition to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Brunei also hosts bases for the British Army and the Singapore Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia–Singapore relations</span> Bilateral relations

Russia–Singapore relations are the bilateral foreign relations between the two countries, Russia and Singapore. Russia has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Moscow. Both countries are full members of APEC. Relations between the 2 countries have been friendly since bilateral ties were established. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations became very tense after Singapore imposed sanctions against Russia. Russia placed Singapore on a list of "unfriendly countries" along with Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, European Union members, NATO members, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Micronesia and Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India–Singapore relations</span> Bilateral relations

India-Singapore relations, also known as Indian-Singaporean relations or Indo-Singaporeanrelations, are the bilateral relations between India and Singapore. Relations between the two countries have traditionally been strong and friendly, with the two nations enjoying extensive cultural and commercial relations. India and Singapore have signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and strategic-relationship agreement in order to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation, and expanded bilateral cooperation on maritime security, training forces, joint naval exercises, developing military technology and fighting terrorism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Singapore relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel–Singapore relations, also referred to as Israeli–Singaporean relations, refers to the bilateral relations between the State of Israel and the Republic of Singapore. Relations between the two countries have been extremely cordial and friendly for more than half a century, which are influenced by their similar geopolitical state of affairs, being relatively small states surrounded by larger neighbors hostile to their continued existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan–Singapore relations</span> Bilateral relations

Pakistan–Singapore relations refer to bilateral relations between Pakistan and Singapore. Singapore has its High Commission in New Delhi, India for its official accreditation while also maintaining a consulate general in Karachi, Pakistan, and Pakistan has a High Commission in Singapore. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Pakistan relations</span> Bilateral relations

The diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Brunei is very warm and friendly, primarily because both are Muslim countries and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. As the two countries are fellow members of the Commonwealth, Pakistan maintains a High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan, and Brunei has a High Commission in Islamabad. To further foster ties between the two countries, the Brunei-Pakistan Friendship Association (BPFA) was created in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief of Defence Force (Singapore)</span> Head of the Singapore Armed Forces

The Chief of Defence Force is the head of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), who holds the rank of Lieutenant-General or Vice-Admiral. The Chief of Defence Force also serves as the aide-de-camp to the president of Singapore. The current Chief of Defence Force is Aaron Beng.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany–Singapore relations</span> Bilateral relations

Germany–Singapore relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore–Taiwan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Singapore–Taiwan relations are the international relations between Singapore and Taiwan. Taiwan has a representative office in Singapore. Singapore operates the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei in Taiwan, both of whom are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Presidential Envoy of ROC and Prime Minister of Singapore regularly meet, in the form similar to private state-to-state gesture diplomacy at APEC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Laos relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brunei and Laos established diplomatic relations in 1993. Brunei has an embassy in Vientiane, and Laos has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. Both countries co-operate in trade, education and defence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Brunei relations</span> Bilateral relations

Australia and Brunei established diplomatic relations in 1984. Australia has a high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan, and Brunei has a high commission in Canberra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–New Zealand relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brunei and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1984. Brunei high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan is accredited to New Zealand, while New Zealand high commission in Kuala Lumpur is accredited to Brunei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherlands–Singapore relations</span> Bilateral relations

Netherlands–Singapore relations refers to the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Singapore. Upon Singapore's declaration of independence in August 1965, the Netherlands recognized Singapore as a sovereign state and established diplomatic relations with it, becoming one of the first European countries to do so. The Netherlands maintains its embassy in Singapore, while Singapore is represented in the Netherlands through its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore–Thailand relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral relations between the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand formally date to 1965, when Thailand established diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Singapore. Both countries are the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof</span> Bruneian politician

Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof ; born 22 June 1956, is a Bruneian nobleman and politician who currently serves as a Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II. He is a former member of the Legislative Council of Brunei, and previously served as the Minister of Defence II from 2018 to 2022, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports from 2015 to 2018, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF).

References

  1. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore - About the High Commission". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  2. "Chancery High Commission of Brunei, Singapore". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Brunei-Singapore Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Brunei). Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  4. 1 2 Omar, A. M. (2014). How Singapore and Brunei Became Friends. The AMO Times, 15.
  5. 1 2 "Brunei and Singapore: Abiding ties of close neighbours". The Straits Times . 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  6. Reading Room. "Currency Interchangeability Agreement - Brunei Notes and Coins". Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  7. "EX-DMOD HONOURED FOR EXCELLENT BRUNEI-SINGAPORE DEFENCE RELATIONS". Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  8. "SAF soldiers take care not to 'thrash' Brunei jungle while training: PM Lee".
  9. Asian Defence Journal. Syed Hussain Publications Sdn. Bhd. 1988. p. 16.
  10. 1 2 Parameswaran, Prashanth (16 October 2018). "Air Force Exercise Puts Brunei-Singapore Defense Ties into Focus". The Diplomat . Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.