MR ONG VISITS SAF SOLDIERS TRAINING IN BRUNEI

In Temburong, Brunei

Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung visited Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen undergoing jungle confidence and survival training at Temburong, Brunei on 5 Nov. There, he saw soldiers completing a combat swim and got to try the edible foods that can be found in the Temburong jungle.

The SAF has been training in Temburong for many years and the experience of the jungle confidence and survival training continues to be a memorable experience for young cadets. Officer Cadet Trainee Benjamin Loke, 20, from the Artillery formation shared: "Training in the Temburong jungle is definitely a new and refreshing experience you cannot get in Singapore.

"Out here, the experience pushes your limits, tests your perseverance and the bond you have with your fellow cadets. I have learnt a lot. Scaling Mount Biang was also a good experience and definitely much more challenging than our Bukit Timah Hill."

Mr Ong asked the soldiers about their training experience in Brunei and commended them for their professionalism and commitment. Also present during the visit was Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, Brigadier-General Kenneth Liow.

In a Facebook post, Mr Ong also noted: "While flying into Temburong, I saw the half-completed bridge cutting across (the) Bay of Brunei. Once completed in 2019, it will shorten the travelling time of our troops in and out of Temburong."

Mr Ong was in Brunei from 3 to 6 Nov as part of a delegation of younger Singapore political office holders there for the fifth Young Leaders' Programme and for his introductory visit to the country.

During the defence segment of his visit, he met Brunei's Deputy Minister of Defence Yang Mulia First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohammad Tamit, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Lim Jock Seng and Deputy Minister (Security and Media) at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Hamdan bin Haji Abu Bakar.

The delegation, which was led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, also had an audience with Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, and the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

The programme is an annual exchange of visits which aims to strengthen ties between Brunei and Singapore, in particular between the younger generation of leaders. Brunei and Singapore take turns to host it.