As Singapore marks 60 years of independence, Brunei reflects on four decades of strong bilateral relations rooted in history, trust, and regional cooperation.
Singapore, August 2025 – As part of IN Diplomacy’s Singapore National Day Edition Feature, Her Excellency Hajah Noor Qamar Haji Sulaiman, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Singapore, has extended warm congratulations to Singapore on its 60th year of independence. The message also commemorates a key milestone in bilateral ties—40 years of diplomatic relations between Brunei and Singapore, established in January 1984 following Brunei’s independence.
Brunei Darussalam and Singapore marked an important milestone in 2024, celebrating forty years of diplomatic relations, established in January 1984 after Brunei Darussalam gained independence. This occasion not only celebrates our shared journey but also reaffirms a partnership grounded in a common vision and strong, lasting ties.
The history of our relationship predates formal diplomatic ties, rooted in the enduring friendship between the late Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Singapore’s founding father, the late Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. As two small Southeast Asian nations with a shared vision and aspirations, we have continued to collaborate closely in multifaceted areas of cooperation, bringing mutual benefit to our people and countries. The unique and special ties have led to the Currency Interchangeability Agreement and robust defence ties enjoyed today.
The exchanges of visits at all levels have also laid a solid foundation for our bilateral relations. Upon assuming office in 2024, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made Brunei Darussalam their first official overseas engagement. The Young Leaders Programme, which reached its 10th milestone iteration in 2024, was celebrated when His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, visited Singapore.
Over the past four decades, our bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, defence, and people-to-people exchanges has expanded in depth and scope. Amid an increasingly complex global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and geo-economic uncertainties, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore have continued to cooperate closely, identifying new key areas such as the green economy and food security to ensure the mutual resilience of our people.
These forward-looking initiatives reflect our mutual commitment to ensuring our enduring partnership remains relevant. Over the years, our collaboration has yielded meaningful results across various sectors, benefiting our people and countries. The partnership cultivated over many generations exemplifies the strong bonds of friendship, mutual respect and understanding shared between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.
As Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence on 9 August 2025, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations and very warm wishes to the people and Government of Singapore. We share the pride of your nation’s remarkable journey, and we look forward to many more years of meaningful cooperation. Guided by a shared vision for peace, resilience, and sustainable growth in ASEAN and beyond, I am confident that the Brunei Darussalam–Singapore relations will continue to flourish, fostering greater prosperity and cooperation for future generations.
