GOOD SPORTS: PM Lee and Sultan Bolkiah (second from right) taking a morning walk at the Empire Country Club yesterday. With them are Mr Lim Hng Kiang (left), Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah (third from right) and Crown Prince Mohamed Bolkiah (right). -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

This can be done by refreshing the links with the younger generation of ministers and civil servants.

'It is a very unusual relationship...We've maintained this for a long time, it goes back to the 60s and even before that,' Mr Lee told reporters yesterday, the last day of his two-day visit here.

'Basically, because we're both small countries, we see the world with a certain perspective and we cooperate with each other and exchange notes. It's a stable relationship which has endured.'

He cited the Currency Interchangeability Agreement as an example of long-standing ties.

Prime Minister Lee and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah had launched two commemorative $20 notes on Wednesday to mark the 40th anniversary of the agreement.

Both countries, he added, will continue to find new areas of cooperation.

'We have to keep on maintaining the relationship, renewing and refreshing the links because with a new generation of ministers and with younger civil servants, they also have to get to know one another,' he said.

'So this time, I brought quite a number of people with me so they can work on their contacts.'

His delegation includes Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang, Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen, MP Mohammad Faishal Ibrahim and senior officials.

Mr Lee, who arrived on Wednesday morning, said he was glad to be back. His previous visit was for the Sultan's 60th birthday last year.

Both leaders met again for a morning walk yesterday, before Mr Lee went to a briefing by Brunei's Finance Ministry and Economic Development Board on Islamic banking.

He had lunch with the Sultan's brother, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, and later visited two government-linked companies which deal with shrimp breeding and seafood production.

PM Lee noted that Brunei and Singapore also shared similar views on the Asean Charter. So does Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, whom he met earlier this week in Singapore.

'We all understand that we need to have a good Charter and we have to have the Charter ready and signed by this November,' he said.

'There are issues which have to be resolved...but I think the top leaders appreciate the urgency of this, that you have to be on the investors' map.

'To do that, you have to have an effective Asean, strong organisation, good vision, effective rules so that we can work together as a regional grouping. Then we can be part of the game with China, India, with what's going on all over Asia.'

Asked about preparations for the November Summit that Singapore is hosting, PM Lee quipped: 'One of the more vexing issues is what costumes shall we dress the leaders in for the photographs. We will work that out in good time.'

sueann@sph.com.sg