THE special relationship between officers from both the armed forces of Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore was emphasised by the outgoing Chief of Staff of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Desmond Kuek Bak Chye that allows bilateral relations to grow from strength to strength.
Speaking to the Bulletin yesterday, after his audience ceremony with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the Istana Nurul Iman, Lt Gen Kuek expressed his deep appreciation of the friendship and close bilateral relations that both Brunei and Singapore enjoy.
“I am particularly grateful for the generous support given by His Majesty and the Brunei Government for the excellent training opportunity offered to the SAF in Brunei,” said the 47-year-old Chief of Defence Force of the SAF.
As the sixth Chief of Defence Force of the SAF, Lt Gen Kuek, who will be relinquishing his post at the end of the month, thanked the opportunity to have worked closely with officers and colleagues from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
“Over the past 10 years, in various senior leadership positions and now as the Chief of Defence Force, Singapore, I have had the privilege and honour to meet and work with many senior officers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
“My farewell visit here is also an opportunity for me to express my deep appreciation for the friendship and support over the years. It is this special friendship between officers from both our armed forces that have put us in good stead, and would allow our bilateral relations to grow from strength to strength in
the future.”
Both the RBAF and SAF have always maintained strong defence links through training arrangements and senior-level defence meetings.
The most visible part of this special defence relationship is the lease by the Brunei Government to the Singapore Armed Forces to maintain a jungle warfare training establishment in the Temburong District, known as Lakiun Camp.
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