Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to make an official visit to Brunei from October 9 to 10, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of defence relations between the two countries. The Singapore Prime Minister’s Office announced the visit on October 8.

During the two-day trip, PM Wong will attend a joint military parade with personnel and operational assets from both the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The parade is scheduled for October 10 and will include the presence of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Following the parade, the Prime Minister and the Sultan will inaugurate a commemorative gallery highlighting key milestones in defence ties, which were formally established in 1976. The Sultan will also host a luncheon in PM Wong’s honor.

This will be PM Wong’s third visit to Brunei since assuming office. In addition to attending the parade, he will witness the handover of four Light Fire Attack Vehicles, known in Singapore as Red Rhinos, to the Brunei Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The vehicles were developed by Singapore engineering firm Hope Technik and tailored to Brunei’s operational needs.

PM Wong will also meet with SAF personnel who are currently training in Temburong, Brunei’s easternmost district, to hear about their experiences during their deployment.

Accompanying PM Wong on the visit will be his wife, Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Zuhkrainain Abdul Rahim, Tanjong Pagar GRC Member of Parliament Rachel Ong, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visit follows a recent official trip to Singapore by Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, who met PM Wong and other senior Singaporean officials during a visit that concluded on October 2.

In 2026, both PM Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong have emphasized the importance of the longstanding “special relationship” between Singapore and Brunei, founded on decades of trust, cooperation, and personal ties. Earlier this year, during SM Lee’s visit to Brunei for the Sultan’s 80th birthday celebrations, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas including energy and food security, supply chain resilience, and people-to-people exchanges.

Looking ahead, 2027 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement, which allows the Brunei dollar and Singapore dollar to be used interchangeably in both countries.

While PM Wong is in Brunei, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong will serve as acting prime minister.