S'PORE AND BRUNEI ARMIES CONDUCT BILATERAL EXERCISE

Singapore and Brunei concluded a 10-day joint military exercise, code-named Maju Bersama, on 12 Jan.

About 290 personnel from 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR); 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (3 SIB); and 3rd Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF), participated in the exercise that featured urban operations training and a combined live-firing.

The annual exercise underscored the excellent bilateral relations and defence cooperation between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the RBLF.

Deputy Commander of the RBLF, Colonel (COL) Haji Yusoff Bin Haji Abdul Rahman, was delighted with the smooth conduct of the exercise hosted by Singapore.

"In an era full of challenges, this kind of exercise will prepare us for difficult times ahead," he said. "The exercise emphasised close ties and cordial friendship between [the] countries."

COL Yusoff co-officiated the closing ceremony together with Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong from the SAF.

MG Neo echoed COL Yusoff's sentiments, reiterating that regional cooperation would become increasingly important in time to come.

For exercise participant, Lance-Corporal (LCP) Rohit Tomar of 2 SIR, he was pleasantly surprised that soldiers of both countries got along so well, during the short period of time together.

Flashing a wide grin, he said: "It took just two days before bonds were formed. The experience on the whole was unlike any other."

Alpha Company Platoon Commander, Captain (CPT) Wong Shi Ming even got the opportunity to reunite with course mates from his days in Officer Cadet School (OCS) as some of the Brunei officers were trained locally.

"Meeting old friends from OCS brought back fond memories and was probably the greatest take away from the exercise for me," he told cyberpioneer.