MUARA NAVAL BASE, Tuesday, 21 March 2023 – 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, today graced the Commissioning Ceremony of Patrol Vessel KDB AS-SIDDIQ held at Jetty Bravo of Muara Naval Base.
Upon arrival, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence Republic of Singapore and senior leadership of the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), as well as from the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander RBAF, Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Melvyn Ong Su Kiat, Chief of Defence Force, SAF, Rear Admiral Sean Wat Jianwen, Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Captain Haji Mohamad Sarif Pudin bin Matserudin, RBN, Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).
The ceremony began with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam received the Royal Salute and inspected the Parade comprising 110 RBN personnel led by Lieutenant Commander Mohammad Husaini bin Haji Mohammad Sofian, RBN. Then, ceremonial proceedings continued at the Commissioning Dais with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim, RBN, Director of RBAF Religious Directorate (JAMA'AT).
His Majesty then proceeded to deliver the Commissioning Titah and awarded KDB AS-SIDDIQ with its Commissioning Pennant presented to Lieutenant Commander Haji Mohammad Arnold bin Haji Osman, RBN, Commanding Officer of KDB AS-SIDDIQ. This was followed by the inaugural hoisting of the Commissioning Pennant and RBN Ensign, accompanied by the National Anthem.
The commissioning was further blessed with the calling of the Azan and recitation of Doa by the JAMA'AT Director, after which His Majesty was then invited for a ship's tour onboard KDB ASSIDDIQ.
The ceremony ended with a group photo on Jetty Bravo with KDB AS-SIDDIQ in the background before proceeding to the RBN Officers' Mess for an executive session between His Majesty and key leaders from both nation's Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces and Navies and this was followed by a luncheon.
The handing over of the ship, previously known as RSS BRAVE, is the result of the close collaboration between the two Armed Forces and Navies. The renaming of the ship from RSS BRAVE to KDB AS-SIDDIQ, which is translated to "truthful," holds a profound significance that embodies the strong bilateral relationship between RBN and RSN. Over the years, Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore had worked closely together, built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and understanding. These qualities will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening cooperation between both nations in the years to come.
The Commissioning Ceremony of KDB AS-SIDDIQ marked a significant milestone in defence diplomacy between Negara Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore. In addition, this has become an important part of history of the RBN as well as RBAF's development.
