Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How hosted His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, to a visit at the Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance (CESP) this morning. Also present were Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II of Brunei Darussalam Pehin Halbi Yussof, Minister of Development of Brunei Darussalam Dato Juanda Abdul Rashid, and Minister of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei Darussalam Dato Shamhary Mustapha. They were accompanied by Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore Mr Desmond Tan, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Staff – General Staff Brigadier General Tan Cheng Kwee, as well as senior officials from Singapore and Brunei.

During the visit, His Royal Highness was briefed on how the CESP leverages science and technology to enhance soldiers’ fitness and nutrition, reduce and prevent injuries, strengthen soldiers’ resilience, and improve soldier systems and equipment within the SAF. These efforts contribute to the development and realisation of the full combat potential of every soldier in the SAF.

His Royal Highness is in Singapore on an official visit from 10 to 14 September 2024 at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong for the 10th Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme. His Royal Highness’ visit to the CESP underscores the close and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Brunei. The SAF and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces interact regularly through a wide range of activities, including bilateral exercises, cross-attendances of courses, high-level visits and professional exchanges. These interactions continue to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability, while deepening the rapport between personnel of both Armed Forces.