Surabaya, 2 August 2026 – The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) was honoured to participate in the Ship Rider Programme aboard the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) Training Ship QI JIGUANG (83), conducted from 28 July to 2 August 2026. The six-day deployment commenced from Muara Port, Brunei Darussalam, and concluded in Surabaya, Republic of Indonesia.
The programme brought together foreign officers from Bangladesh, the Republic of Korea, Republic of Singapore and Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Representing the RBN were Lieutenant Afifi bin Haji Ahmad, RBN, and Lieutenant Haji Mohammad Farhan bin Haji Samsol, RBN.
Throughout the deployment, both RBN officers participated in a comprehensive programme of professional and cultural activities, including practical maritime training, firefighting and damage control exercises, team-building activities and group discussions. The programme also provided participants with valuable exposure to the daily routines, training methods and professional development of PLA-N naval cadets aboard QI JIGUANG (83).
Beyond developing professional knowledge and practical maritime skills, the programme fostered friendships and mutual understanding among junior officers from the participating navies. These grassroots-level interactions are essential in building trust, strengthening camaraderie and developing lasting professional networks that support closer navy-to-navy cooperation.
For the RBN and PLA-N, the Ship Rider Programme reflects the importance of strengthening bilateral relations through meaningful engagement at every level. By building trust and professional understanding among the next generation of naval leaders, the programme contributes towards a stronger and more enduring relationship between both navies, while reinforcing the broader defence ties between Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China.
Such engagement also supports continued dialogue, constructive cooperation and shared efforts towards regional maritime peace and stability.
MEMPERKUKUH HUBUNGAN TLDB–PLAN DARI GELADAK KE PUNCAK
Surabaya, 2 Ogos 2026 – Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB) berbesar hati menyertai Program Ship Rider di atas Kapal Latihan Tentera Laut Tentera Pembebasan Rakyat China (PLAN), QI JIGUANG (83), yang telah dilaksanakan dari 28 Julai hingga 2 Ogos 2026. Pelayaran selama enam hari tersebut bermula dari Pelabuhan Muara, Negara Brunei Darussalam, dan berakhir di Surabaya, Republik Indonesia.
Program berkenaan menghimpunkan pegawai-pegawai asing dari Bangladesh, Republik Korea, Republik Singapura dan Republik Sosialis Vietnam. Mewakili TLDB ialah Leftenan Afifi bin Haji Ahmad, TLDB, dan Leftenan Haji Mohammad Farhan bin Haji Samsol, TLDB.
Sepanjang pelayaran tersebut, kedua-dua pegawai TLDB telah menyertai pelbagai aktiviti profesional dan kebudayaan, termasuk latihan maritim secara praktikal, latihan pemadaman kebakaran dan kawalan kerosakan, aktiviti pembinaan pasukan serta perbincangan berkumpulan. Program ini turut memberikan pendedahan yang berharga kepada para peserta mengenai rutin harian, kaedah latihan dan pembangunan profesional kadet-kadet PLA-N di atas kapal QI JIGUANG (83).
Selain meningkatkan pengetahuan profesional dan kemahiran praktikal dalam bidang maritim, program ini turut memupuk persahabatan dan persefahaman bersama dalam kalangan pegawai muda daripada angkatan laut yang mengambil bahagian. Interaksi di peringkat akar umbi ini memainkan peranan penting dalam membina kepercayaan, memperkukuh semangat setiakawan dan membentuk rangkaian profesional berkekalan yang menyokong kerjasama lebih erat antara angkatan laut.
Bagi TLDB dan PLA-N, Program Ship Rider ini mencerminkan kepentingan memperkukuh hubungan dua hala melalui penglibatan yang bermakna di setiap peringkat.
Dengan membina kepercayaan dan persefahaman profesional dalam kalangan generasi pemimpin angkatan laut yang seterusnya, program ini menyumbang kepada hubungan yang lebih kukuh dan berkekalan antara kedua-dua angkatan laut, di samping mempererat hubungan pertahanan antara Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Republik Rakyat China.
Penglibatan sedemikian turut menyokong kesinambungan dialog, kerjasama konstruktif serta usaha bersama ke arah keamanan dan kestabilan maritim serantau.
