Remarks by President Tony Tan at the Lunch with Brunei's Singapore Alumni

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon

        I am happy to be back in Brunei. I am also glad that so many of you have made the time to come out and meet me today. I recognise many familiar faces and look forward to catching up with all of you over lunch. Singapore and Brunei have always been the closest of friends and partners. Our bilateral links are strong, but our people to people links are even stronger. That so many of you have spent time in Singapore is a testament to the enduring ties between Brunei and Singapore.

        Many of you attended Singapore secondary schools in the 1970s and 1980s. At the time, the practice of sending Brunei’s brightest students overseas was a quick and efficient way to build up human capital and prepare for independence. We were privileged to have you attend our schools. We were flattered that you chose us and grateful for the diversity of views that you brought. Your presence allowed for a cross-fertilisation of ideas. Schooling together also established a firm foundation for our people-to-people links.

        I am sure that many of you remember the Asrama Kerajaan Brunei on Tanglin Hill fondly. I am told that some of you still gather occasionally to reminisce about the friends you made in Singapore, the teachers who inspired you, the hawker stalls you frequented, and the times you spent playing football.

        Following your footsteps, many Bruneians still attend Singaporean institutions like the NUS High School, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and our local universities. Bruneian students adapt to Singapore easily and enrich our classrooms. In addition, several Singaporean and Bruneian schools are “twinned” with each other, allowing students on both sides to visit and interact. For many young Singaporeans, this is the first time they have a chance to experience rainforests, rice fields, and all the natural beauty that Brunei has to offer. I hope that such twinning projects will also give young Singaporeans a deeper understanding of Brunei and will result in friendships that last a lifetime.

        There are also more recent ‘alumni’ who have attended courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). These courses are designed to cover specific areas of interest. We hope that our friends from Brunei have found these courses useful. Finally, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Singapore's Mercy Relief are working together to promote humanitarian projects in ASEAN. Singapore has much to learn from UBD’s experience in this field. This joint programme allows youth on both sides to work together, fostering a greater sense of community and understanding. Our collaboration in education and training continues to pay very real dividends to both countries.

        As a former Education Minister, of course I believe that education is important. But perhaps even more importantly, I hope that you managed to build close friendships during your time with us. We will often forget what we learned in school, but the friendships that we made will last a lifetime.  

        Whatever your connection to Singapore, allow me to thank you for your efforts in strengthening our relations. You have helped promote mutual trust and respect, as well as cooperation between our two countries. Without you, our ties would be less warm and deep-rooted than they are today. Indeed, individually and collectively, you are the embodiment of the special relationship between our two countries.

        I ask only that you continue to keep in touch with your many Singaporean friends.  On our part, we will keep in touch with our many Bruneian friends. With this sort of foundation, the special relationship between Singapore and Brunei can only blossom further in the years to come. Thank you.