Brunei Darussalam Participates in The 7th Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Security

Brunei Darussalam Participates in The 7th Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Security

by | 23 Oct, 2026 | News, Others

Regional and global security challenges particularly the threats of terrorism, irregular migration, cyber security and transnational crime were among the key matters discussed at the 7th Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (SRM) which was held at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, Indonesia earlier today.

Brunei Darussalam’s delegation to the meeting was led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and Minister of Defence II. Also present were His Excellency Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Kadir, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Indonesia; Yang Mulia Awang Zulhusam bin Haji Abdul Samad, Permanent Secretary (Security and Law), PMO along with Senior Officers from the PMO.

The 7th SRM was co-chaired by His Excellency General (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; and The Honourable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship of Australia. Also participating in this year’s meeting were Ministers and Senior Officials from Malaysia, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore and Thailand.

The Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the PMO, and Minister of Defence II emphasized Brunei Darussalam’s position and policy of maintaining friendly relations with all countries in an effort to preserve the peace and security of this region. His remarks also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in the SRM to address the issue of terrorism and violent extremism in the region. In this regard, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia will serve as Co-Chairs of the Senior Officials’ Counter-Terrorism Policy Forum under the SRM next year.

The Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Minister of Defence II also shared Brunei Darussalam’s efforts in combatting irregular migration particularly Trafficking in Persons. Recently, Brunei Darussalam’s ranking in the United States Trafficking in Persons Report has been upgraded for two consecutive years, rising to the Tier 2 Watch List in 2025 and to Tier 2 this year.

Later on, the delegation led by the Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the PMO, and Minister of Defence II also held a Courtesy Call with The Honourable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship of Australia. During the Courtesy Call, both countries expressed satisfaction with the long-standing ties and cooperation across various areas, particularly in security. Both countries also discussed avenues to further strengthen cooperation on matters of mutual significance, including border security and cyber security.

News courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office
Photo courtesy of Infomation Department

His Majesty receives in audience The Heads of Delegation from countries participating in the 16th CAPGC

His Majesty receives in audience The Heads of Delegation from countries participating in the 16th CAPGC

by | 22 Oct, 2026 | News, Prime Minister

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, this afternoon received an audience of 13 Heads of Delegation from ASEAN member states and People’s Republic of China participating in the “16th China-ASEAN Prosecutor’s General Conference (CAPGC)”, held from 21 to 22 October 2026.

Also present at the Ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Heads of Delegation were:
1. His Excellency Ying Yong, Prosecutor General of China;
2. Her Excellency Chea Leang, Prosecutor General of Cambodia;
3. His Excellency Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki bin Mokhtar, Attorney General of Malaysia;
4. Her Excellency Dr. Thida Oo, Union Minister and Attorney General of Republic of the Union of Myammar;
5. His Excellency Lucien Wong, Attorney General of the Republic of Singapore;
6. His Excellency Dr. Nelson De Carvalho, Prosecutor General of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste;
7. His Excellency Nguyen Huy Tien, Prosecutor General of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam;
8. His Excellency Dr. R. Narendra Jatna, Deputy Attorney General of Indonesia;
9. His Excellency Bounthanh Bounthavilay, Deputy Prosecutor General of Lao PDR;
10. Her Excellency Rohairah Ampuan Lao, Regional Prosecutor of the Republic of the Philippines;
11. His Excellency Chart Chaidejsuriya, Deputy Attorney General of Thailand;
12. The Honourable Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Secretary of Justice of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and
13. The Honourable Dr. Tong Hio Fong, Prosecutor General of Macao Special Administrative Region.

Also present were Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Muhammed Taib, Attorney General, as Chair of the “16th China-ASEAN Prosecutor’s General Conference (CAPGC)”; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Public Service Governance), as acting Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law); Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Zuraini binti Haji Sharbawi, Solicitor General; and Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Suriana binti Haji Radin, Assistant Solicitor General.

During the Audience, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Heads of Delegation discussed legal developments and issues in the ASEAN region and the People’s Republic of China, specifically Hong Kong and Macau.

The 16th China-ASEAN Prosecutor’s General Conference (CAPGC) is a regular multilateral platform for high-level exchanges between prosecution authorities of People’s Republic of China and ASEAN member states on issues of common interest, with a view to enhancing capacities in combatting transnational crimes, protecting people’s livelihoods and maintaining regional stability. This year’s Conference is held under the theme “Protecting Children in the Digital Age: Harmonizing Legal Frameworks and International Cooperation”.

The Audience ceremony took place at Istana Nurul Iman.

News courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office
Photo courtesy of Infofoto

The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC)

The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC)

by | 22 Oct, 2026 | News, Others

Brunei Darussalam participated in the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and Its Related Meetings, held in Makati City, Republic of the Philippines, from 19 to 21 October 2026. The Opening Ceremony of the 20th AMMTC was officiated by His Excellency Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr., Secretary of the Interior and Local Government of the Republic of Philippines as AMMTC Leader – Philippines on 20 October 2026.

The Brunei Darussalam delegation was led by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law), accompanied by Yang Mulia Awang Zulhusam bin Haji Abdul Samad, Permanent Secretary (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office and SOMTC Leader of Brunei Darussalam, as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The AMMTC and Its Related Meetings serve as a significant annual platform for ASEAN Ministers responsible for transnational crime to discuss current crime trends and the regional security situation. The Meeting was preceded by the Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) for the 20th AMMTC, held on 19 October 2026.

In his statement at the Plenary Session of the 20th AMMTC on 20 October 2026, Yang Berhormat Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s continued commitment to addressing transnational crime, particularly trafficking in persons (TIP), terrorism and violent extremism, money laundering and online scams, as well as illicit drug trafficking. Yang Berhormat Minister also shared Brunei Darussalam’s significant achievement of being upgraded to Tier 2 from the Tier 2 Watch List in the United States 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, marking a second consecutive year of improvement, and expressed his confidence that the best practices shared by the Republic of the Philippines as SOMTC Lead Shepherd on TIP, and by fellow ASEAN Member States had contributed to this progress and regarded the upgrade not as an end point, but as an encouragement to do more.

Yang Berhormat Minister further stressed that the terrorist threat is no longer conventional, with the primary concern now centred on lone actors, particularly young people who become self-radicalised online. On money laundering, Yang Berhormat Minister explained that the proceeds of online scams are remitted out of the country within minutes, noting that the money now moves faster than our investigations can follow, and called for faster cross-border cooperation to trace and freeze illicit proceeds.

On illicit drugs, Yang Berhormat Minister expressed concern over attempts by syndicates to exploit Brunei Darussalam as a transit point, and reaffirmed the country’s firm and uncompromising stance against cannabis, emphasising that its growing normalisation in some countries could create a false perception among young people that cannabis is harmless, when in fact it poses serious risks to health and well-being. In concluding his statement, Yang Berhormat Minister expressed Brunei Darussalam’s support for the Joint Statement of the Meeting and its commitment to continue working closely with ASEAN Member States towards a safer and more secure region.

On 21 October 2026, the AMMTC also held consultations with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, namely the 16th AMMTC + 3 Consultation, the 13th AMMTC + China Consultation, the 11th AMMTC + Japan Consultation and the 7th AMMTC + Republic of Korea Consultation. During the consultations, Yang Berhormat Minister expressed Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, and conveyed appreciation for their support in addressing the threat of transnational crime.

While in the Philippines, Yang Berhormat Minister also held bilateral meetings with His Excellency Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail, Minister of Home Affairs Malaysia, as AMMTC Leader-Malaysia and His Excellency Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. The meetings discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in addressing online scams, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

The 20th AMMTC and Its Related Meetings were chaired by His Excellency Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. and attended by Ministers, Heads of Delegation and Senior Officials of ASEAN Member States. The Meeting was also attended by Her Excellency Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN.

News courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office
Photo courtesy of Infofoto

Titah KDYMM Sempena Majlis Konvokesyen Kali Ke-16 Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan Tahun 1448H/2026M

by | 22 Oct, 2026 | Titah

TITAH

KEBAWAH DULI YANG MAHA MULIA PADUKA SERI BAGINDA 
SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH IBNI 
AL-MARHUM SULTAN HAJI OMAR ‘ALI SAIFUDDIEN SA’ADUL KHAIRI WADDIEN, SULTAN DAN YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

SEMPENA
MAJLIS KONVOKESYEN KALI KE-16
KOLEJ UNIVERSITI PERGURUAN
UGAMA SERI BEGAWAN
TAHUN 1448H/2026M

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Alhamdulillah Rabbil ‘Alameen, Wabihiee Nasta’eenu ‘Alaa Umuuriddunya Wadden, Wassalaatu’ Wassalaamu ‘Ala Asyarafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammaddin, Wa’alaa Aalihee Wasahbihee Ajma’een, Waba’du.

Beta bersyukur ke hadhrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kerana dengan izin-Nya jua dapatlah kita berhimpun pada pagi yang penuh berkat ini sempena Majlis Konvokesyen Kali Ke-16, Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB).

Dengan hati yang tulus ikhlas, Beta merakamkan setinggi-tinggi tahniah dan syabas kepada para graduan atas kejayaan mereka menamatkan pengajian masing-masing. Penghargaan juga Beta tujukan kepada para tenaga akademik, ibu bapa, penjaga dan ahli keluarga yang telah mencurahkan segala usaha membimbing, mendorong dan memberikan sokongan yang tidak berbelah bahagi sehingga para graduan berjaya mencapai kejayaan yang membanggakan. Beta berharap kejayaan yang diraih ini tidak hanya dilihat sebagai pencapaian peribadi, tetapi juga perlu diterjemahkan sebagai sumbangan untuk ugama, Raja dan negara.

Beta melihat perkembangan Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) menjadi teknologi yang paling digemari pada abad ini, yang membawa perubahan besar kepada landskap pendidikan dan kehidupan masyarakat. Dalam hubungan ini, KUPU SB sebagai institusi peneraju perguruan ugama hendaklah tidak hanya menjadi pengguna teknologi, tetapi juga berupaya untuk menjadi pemimpin pendekatan pedagogi dan etika penggunaan Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) yang berpandukan prinsip syarak, nilai Islam dan adab keilmuan yang berteraskan Al-Quran dan As-Sunnah.

Beta juga mengambil maklum akan kesungguhan KUPU SB dalam mempertahankan dan mengembangkan pengajian kitab Turath dan tulisan Jawi dalam pembinaan kurikulumnya pada semua peringkat pengajian. Beta melihat usaha ini amat penting bagi memastikan kemajuan pendidikan dan teknologi terus berpaksikan khazanah ilmu Islam, di samping memelihara jati diri, tradisi keilmuan dan kesinambungan warisan pendidikan ugama.

Sehubungan itu, pemerkasaan teknologi digital dan Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) dalam pendidikan Islam hendaklah diadun secara bijaksana dengan penguasaan ilmu Turath dan kontemporari sebagai suatu ikhtiar strategik untuk memperkukuhkan lagi penyampaian ilmu, tanpa menjejaskan prinsip syari’at dan adab keilmuan. Pendekatan sedemikian adalah penting bagi membina ketahanan dikalangan generasi pendidik supaya terus mampu mendepani pengaruh pemikiran dan ideologi yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam sebenar.

Beta mengambil maklum dan menyambut baik komitmen KUPU SB dalam memperkukuh kurikulum yang holistik yang selaras dengan keperluan semasa. Usaha ini bukan sahaja berupaya meningkatkan kebolehpasaran graduan, bahkan juga turut memperkasa mereka sebagai mampu untuk memberikan sumbangan yang bermakna kepada institusi, masyarakat dan negara melalui penguasaan ilmu.

Sehubungan itu, KUPU SB perlu terus membangunkan ekosistem pendidikan yang komprehensif melalui jalinan kolaborasi strategik dengan para rakan, di samping memastikan program-program yang ditawarkan kekal relevan dengan perkembangan semasa. Langkah ini juga wajar diperkukuh melalui pelaksanaan Program Pembangunan Profesional Berterusan (Continuous Professional Development-CPD) bagi meningkatkan lagi keupayaan para alumni KUPU SB agar sentiasa selaras dengan perubahan dan keperluan semasa, sekali gus mendokong pendidikan dan pembentukan modal insan yang unggul dan berdaya saing.

Dalam hal ini, Beta menyambut baik inisiatif KUPU SB dalam memperluas program upskilling dan reskilling melalui penubuhan Pusat Latihan dan Peningkatan Kompetensi KUPU SB. Kewujudan pusat ini diharapkan akan dapat menyemarakkan lagi budaya pembelajaran sepanjang hayat, di samping memperkaya pengetahuan dan meningkatkan keupayaan para graduan serta alumni. Lebih penting lagi, inisiatif tersebut berupaya untuk melahirkan sumber manusia yang berpegang teguh kepada prinsip syarak, memiliki keupayaan yang relevan dengan keperluan semasa, berdaya saing dalam pasaran pekerjaan serta memperoleh pengiktirafan melalui pensijilan kemahiran yang diiktiraf.

Akhirnya, Beta merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada seluruh warga KUPU SB, khususnya Pengerusi dan Ahli-Ahli Majlis Kolej Universiti, Ra’es, Ahli-Ahli Senat, Pegawai-Pegawai Utama, para ahli akademik, pegawai dan kakitangan (KUPU SB) atas segala jasa dan khidmat bakti yang telah dicurahkan.

Marilah kita sama-sama berdoa semoga semua ilmu yang didapat oleh para graduan menjadi ilmu yang bermanfaat, diterima oleh Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, dan KUPU SB terus diberkati dalam melahirkan graduan berilmu dan berakhlak mulia.

Sekian, Wabillahit Taufeq Walhidayah, Wassalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

*  *  *

Crown Prince Receives Newly-Appointed Envoys

Crown Prince Receives Newly-Appointed Envoys

by | 22 Oct, 2026 | News, Senior Minister

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, this morning received newly appointed Brunei Darussalam Envoys and newly appointed Foreign Envoys to Brunei Darussalam. The Audience Ceremony took place at Qashr Al-Meezaan.

The newly appointed Brunei Darussalam Envoys and newly appointed Foreign Envoys to Brunei Darussalam are His Excellency Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Hisham bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of China; His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Mahdani bin Dato Paduka Sheikh Abdul Gani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of France; His Excellency Chen Shaochun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam; Her Excellency Do Thuy Duong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to Brunei Darussalam; His Excellency Soe Thet Naung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to Brunei Darussalam; and Her Excellency Melanie Barlow, British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam.

On the 19th October 2026, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam presented Letters of Credence to the newly appointed Brunei Darussalam Envoys and also received Letters of Credence from the newly appointed Foreign Envoys to Brunei Darussalam.

Present at the ceremony was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Civil Service Governance).

News courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office
Photo courtesy of Infofoto