The ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026 was held in Brunei Darussalam and jointly hosted by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and the National Maritime Coordination Centre (NMCC), Prime Minister’s Office. The two-day meeting brought together representatives from Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, as well as representatives from the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC).

Present as the Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony was Yang Mulia Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Awang Sulaiman bin Alidin, Royal Brunei Police Force. Also in attendance were Yang Mulia Zulhusam bin Haji Abdul Samad, Permanent Secretary (Security and Law), Prime Minister’s Office, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammed Saifullah bin Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, Deputy Commissioner of Police, RBPF, Assistant Commissioner of Police Haji Hamri Aslan bin Haji Abu Hanafiah, Acting Head of Operations, RBPF, Dr Vijay Digambar Chafekar, Executive Director of the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) and Commander Malek bin PDJLD DSP Haji Kefli, Maritime Director of the National Maritime Coordination Centre, Prime Minister’s Office as well as senior officials and participants of the meeting.

The Opening Ceremony commenced with a welcoming address by the Acting Head of Operations, Royal Brunei Police Force, followed by opening remarks and the officiating of the ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026 by the Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC. The ceremony marked the commencement of the two-day meeting and welcomed participating delegations to Brunei Darussalam.

The ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026 provided a platform for participating countries to share information, views and experiences, while strengthening cooperation in addressing maritime security challenges of common concern. Among the key matters discussed were the current situation and ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks of piracy and armed robbery against ships. The meeting also provided an opportunity for participating countries to exchange perspectives and experiences, share their respective efforts in addressing such threats and identify approaches that could contribute towards enhancing the safety and security of ships and seafarers and promoting a safer maritime environment in the region. The meeting further underscored the importance of regional cooperation and information sharing in addressing maritime security challenges that transcend national boundaries. Through constructive discussions and exchanges among participating countries, the ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026 sought to strengthen working relationships, mutual understanding and collective efforts in support of regional maritime security and stability.

In conjunction with the ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026, a Welcoming Dinner was held on Monday, 21 September 2026, at the Presidential Lounge, Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong, to welcome the participants and delegates to Brunei Darussalam. Yang Mulia Hajah Aldila binti Haji Mohamad Salleh, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Security and Law), Prime Minister’s Office, attended the dinner as the Guest of Honour.

The Welcoming Dinner provided an opportunity for participants, ReCAAP ISC representatives and relevant maritime agencies to foster closer relations and strengthen networks of cooperation in a cordial setting. The event also enabled participants to interact and exchange views and experiences towards further strengthening maritime security cooperation in the region.

The dinner commenced with welcoming remarks by Yang Mulia Commander Malek bin PDJLD DSP Haji Kefli, Director of the National Maritime Coordination Centre, Prime Minister’s Office, who welcomed the participants of the ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026 to Brunei Darussalam. Also present were senior officials, ReCAAP ISC representatives, heads of delegation and representatives from relevant agencies.

The joint hosting of the ReCAAP ISC Cluster Meeting 2026 by the Royal Brunei Police Force and the National Maritime Coordination Centre, Prime Minister’s Office, reflects Brunei Darussalam’s continued commitment towards strengthening regional cooperation, information sharing and collective efforts in promoting a safe and secure maritime environment.

News courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office
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A selawat ceremony was held at Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to mark the official closure of The Noble Hair of The Prophet Chamber yesterday, which had been open to the public from August 15, 2026 until yesterday.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of selawat and dikir led by Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah teacher Sheikh Haji Mutiaa Al Kabbani Mahmoud, and concluded with the recitation of Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam led by a first-year Higher Diploma Aliyah Qiraat student from Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The Noble Hair of The Prophet Chamber was open to the public for one month throughout Rabiulawal to commemorate the birth month of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), while serving to honour and uphold the sanctity of the period.

Around 3,307 visitors were recorded throughout the month-long opening, providing them with the opportunity to view the chamber and recite selawat in close proximity to the relic at Gallery 3.

The Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah organised religious activities throughout the month, offering four selawat sessions inside the chamber on every working day from Monday to Thursday and Saturday for groups and zikir associations from ministries, government departments, higher education institutions, mosques, and private companies.

Bookings were made online, with 934 participants taking part in sessions featuring Dikir Syarafil Anam, Selawat Ibrahimiyah, Selawat Tafrijiyah, Selawat Munjiyat, Selawat Fatih, Selawat Syifa, Selawat Nur, Selawat Badariyyah and Maulid Diba’ie.

Selawat activities were also conducted at the auditorium and lobby of the hall every Sunday throughout Rabiulawal by non-governmental organisations, registered associations, and zikir groups in collaboration with the institution, which were accessible to the public. Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Civil Service Governance) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) Dato Seri Setia Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu; Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid; and Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohammad Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan as members of the Advisory Board of the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah were the special guests in attendance.

The special guests were welcomed by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Director of the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Dr Haji Mohammed Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Awang Haji Ahmad, who also serves as Head of Secretariat of the Advisory Board of the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The next opening of The Noble Hair of The Prophet Chamber is scheduled for January 2027 for three days in conjunction with the commemoration of Israk Mikraj.

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Lianyungang, People’s Republic of China, 07 to 10 September 2026

The Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law), Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu, led the Brunei Darussalam delegation to attend the “2026 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum Lianyungang (GPSCFL)”, held in the City of Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, from 07 to 10 September 2026.

Brunei Darussalam has participated in the GPSCFL since2024. The GPSCFL is an annual conference co-organised by the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China and the China Association for Friendship under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. This year’s GPSCFL theme, “Unite to Advance Public Security Governance, Bring Stability to a Turbulent World,” underscores the importance of strengthening international cooperation and solidarity in enhancing public security governance, particularly in addressing an increasingly complex and uncertain global security landscape.

The plenary session of the GPSCFL was held on the afternoon of 09 September 2026 at the Haizhou Bayview Conference Centre in the City of Lianyungang, People’s Republic of China. The GPSCFL 2026 was officiated by His Excellency Wang Xiaohong, State Councillor and Minister for Public Security of the People’s Republic of China. On the same day, the BruneiDarussalam delegation also had the opportunity to visit The 3rd Public Security Tech Expo, held in conjunction with the conference.

Earlier, on 08 September 2026, the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) held a Bilateral Meeting with His Excellency Yang Weilin, Vice Minister of Public Security, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China. During the meeting, the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) expressed satisfaction with the close cooperative relationship between the security and law enforcement agencies of both countries. The meeting also discussed efforts to further strengthen formal cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China, particularly in the field of security and law enforcement, including through the exchange of information, sharing of bestpractices and capacity building, especially in addressing issues of mutual interest such as law enforcement, drug trafficking and cybersecurity.

The Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) also held a meeting with His Excellency Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on 09 September 2026. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on cooperation in the area of security, particularly in addressing transnational crimes, including terrorism and cybercrime. The discussions also touched on formal mechanisms to further strengthen cooperation between the security and law enforcement agencies of both countries, particularly through the utilisation of emerging technologies.

While in the People’s Republic of China, the Brunei Darussalam delegation also had the opportunity to visitseveral locations in the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, at the invitation of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China and other stakeholders.

Also part of the Brunei Darussalam delegation to the conference were the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dayang Hajah Aldila binti Haji Mohamad Salleh, and senior officers from the Prime Minister’s Office.

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Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof made a working visit to the Russian Federation from August 27 to 29, 2026 at the invitation of Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu.

The visit was a follow-up to the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Security Committee of Brunei Darussalam and the Security Council of the Russian Federation in April 2024.

On August 28, the Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II held a bilateral meeting with the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

During the meeting, Brunei Darussalam and the Russian Federation exchanged views on matters of mutual interest under the MoU including regional and international security issues as well as opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the security and enforcement agencies in both countries, especially in addressing the threat of transnational crime.

Both countries reiterated their commitment in translating the objectives under the MoU into more concrete and meaningful cooperation, including through closer relations between the relevant agencies, the exchange of information and experience, capacity building and the exchange of visits.

During the meeting and working visit from August 27 to 29, the Security Council of the Russian Federation also arranged a series of visits related to security issues for the Brunei Darussalam delegation in the city of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the Russian Federation Pengiran Muhammad Husaini bin Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Adat Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Zalani bin Haji Ismail, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Security and Law), Prime Minister’s Office Hajah Aldila binti Haji Mohamad Salleh as well as officers from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Royal Brunei Police Force were also present.

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Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn about, appreciate and cherish a valuable treasure of Islamic heritage preserved at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB), following the opening of the Sacred Hair of Prophet Muhammad Room in conjunction with the month commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The opening was held during a Berselawat ceremony yesterday, which featured the recitation of Selawat and Dikir.

The Sacred Hair of Prophet Muhammad Room will be open to the public until 30 Rabiulawal 1448H, corresponding to September 12, 2026.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar by Religious Teacher Grade II, Islamic Studies Department (JPI) Muhammad Ayub bin Ali, followed by the recitation of Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam, led by Special Nazir, JPI Haji Abdullah bin Haji Sahat.

This was followed by a mass recitation of Selawat and Dikir led by officers and staff of JPI.

Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof was the guest of honour.

Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Civil Service Governance) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) Dato Seri Setia Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Energy, Upstream and Downstream) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah; Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid; as well as members of the BKISHHB Advisory Board Secretariat were also present as special guests.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Director of BKISHHB Dr Haji Mohammed Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Haji Ahmad welcomed the special guests.

The public is encouraged to visit the room and increase their recitation of Selawat upon the Prophet (pbuh) as an act of tabarruk. Visitors are also reminded to observe proper etiquette and maintain the utmost respect while inside the room.

The annual event reflects BKISHHB’s continued commitment to enlivening the month of Rabiulawal, particularly by nurturing love, devotion and reverence for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), while bringing Islamic heritage closer to the public through meaningful educational, spiritual and cultural experiences.

In addition, BKISHHB is inviting male and female groups from ministries, mosques, associations, higher education institutions and private companies to participate in the ‘Selawat Recitation and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam’ sessions throughout Rabiulawal 1448H at the Sacred Hair of Prophet Muhammad Room.

The sessions will be held from 2 to 30 Rabiulawal 1448H, corresponding to August 15 to September 12, 2026, except on Fridays and Sundays.

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To further promote the teachings and values of Islam and instil a deep love for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the opening ceremony of the Dikir in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul for 1448 Hijrah/2026 was held last night at Istana Nurul Iman corresponding to 1st of Rabiulawal 1448 Hijrah.

Present at the event were Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Civil Service Governance) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad; and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law) Dato Seri Setia Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu.

Among the male guests were representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), as well as representatives from associations and MPM/MPK, including 30 members of Badan Ugama Islam (PPDB) and 30 members of MPM Pengkalan Batu.

Members of the Senegara Mosque Youth Executive Committee were also invited under the Youth and Takmir category, while the JPI Religious School Division (Brunei I) represented the Religious Teachers category.

For the female guests, representatives from the PMO were also in attendance, alongside representatives from associations and MPM/MPK. These included 30 members of the Police Wives and Families Welfare Association (PEKERTI) and 30 members of MPM/MPK Pengkalan Batu.

The Youth and Takmir category comprised members of the Muslimah group of RPN Kampong Bukit Beruang Mosque, while the Religious Teachers category was represented by the JPI Religious School Division (Brunei I).

The event began with a mass Isyak prayer led by Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Abdul Ghani, with Muhammad Amin bin Haji Salim as the bilal.

This was followed by an Al-Quran recitation by Ashizal bin Zainal Abidin.

A tazkirah was subsequently delivered by Haji Muskrisman Safari bin Haji Mustapa followed by a doa led by Haji Muhammad Azrol Alim bin Haji Zaini.

The evening also featured dikir recitations including Assalamualaika and Asyrakal, Khairuman, Bisyahrin, Al-Hamdu and Badat, which further enhanced the atmosphere of reflection and devotion to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

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