Brunei's Crown Prince here on six-day official visit

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei having a morning walk at the Berakas Forest Reserve on Oct 6, 2015. PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Brunei's Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah began a six-day official visit here yesterday at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

The Crown Prince, who is also Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, is here for the fourth Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders' Programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement yesterday.

The programme was launched in 2013 to strengthen close ties between younger leaders from both countries, which take turns to host visits every year.

Accompanying Prince Billah on his visit are his wife, Pengiran Anak Sarah, and their three children, as well as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Roselan Daud and senior officials.

During the visit, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will host a lunch for the Crown Prince and his delegation.

Mr Teo and his wife will also host a welcome dinner for Prince Billah and his wife.

Prince Billah will visit the Home Team Tactical Centre and the Singapore Armed Forces' Armour Simulation Centre at Sungei Gedong Camp.

These visits will be hosted by Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam and Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung respectively.

Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran, who is the co-chair of the Committee on the Future Economy, will also brief the Crown Prince on the panel's work.

Meanwhile, Mr Peter Ong, head of the civil service and Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), will brief him on the role and functions of the Strategy Group at the PMO.

The Foreign Ministry said: "His Royal Highness' visit reaffirms the excellent and longstanding ties between Brunei and Singapore, and will further strengthen our deep and multifaceted cooperation."

Rachel Au-Yong

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 28, 2016, with the headline Brunei's Crown Prince here on six-day official visit. Subscribe