Countries of the World/COUNTRYS.BIN/dp/0058/00581.txt

Text File | 1991-06-24 | 22KB | 481 lines

$Unique_ID{COW00581}
$Pretitle{406}
$Title{Brunei Darrussalam
Part 3B. Defense and National Security}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC}
$Subject{brunei
royal
asean
forces
armed
economic
foreign
ministry
government
development}
$Date{1988}
$Log{}
Country:     Brunei Darrussalam
Book:        Brunei Darussalam in Profile
Author:      Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC
Date:        1988

Part 3B. Defense and National Security

Ministry Of Defence

     His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan is the Minister of Defence as
well as the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The Ministry
of Defence is an integrated Ministry consisting of the Military Staff Division
and the Civil Staff Division. The Deputy Minister of Defence assists the
Minister in the decision-making process affecting the Ministry.

     The Military Staff Division is headed by the Chief of the Armed Forces
Staff, the principal adviser on defence and operational military matters to
the Minister.

     There are five directorates in this division: Operations and Plans,
Intelligence, Training and Staff Duties, Personnel and Administration, and
Logistics.

     The Civil Staff Division is headed by two Permanent Secretaries, each of
them responsible for two directorates: the Permanent Secretary (Finance &
Development) who is in charge of Finance and Procurement and Development and
Works Services; and the Permanent Secretary (Policy & Administration)
responsible for Politics and Organisation and Administration and Manpower.

     The importance which Brunei Darussalam attaches to national security is
underlined by the fact that, under the fifth Five Year Development Plan, 10
per cent of expenditure is allocated to defence.

     For its size, Brunei Darussalam has one of the most well-equipped armed
forces of any country in the region, with land, air and sea capability.

     The Task Force of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces comprises land, naval and
air forces grouped together as a brigade spearheaded by two infantry
battalions. The Task Force is equipped with armoured reconnaissance vehicles
and armoured personnel carriers, supported by Rapier air defence missiles. For
coastal patrol work, there is a flotilla of fast strike vessels equipped with
surface to surface missiles.

     Plans have been announced for the Air Wing to acquire fixed wing jet and
maritime surveillance aircraft with a view to being operational in 1992.
Bruneians between the ages of 18 and 23 will be recruited to be trained as
pilots. The new aircraft will reinforce the Air Wing which at present
comprises both armed and utility helicopters and provides helicopter support
for other Ministries including the 'Flying Doctor' service.

     The Royal Brunei Armed Forces has forged close links with its immediate
neighbours, particularly Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Joint exercises
are carried out with the armed forces of ASEAN countries, and there is also
close collaboration with other countries such as Britain and Australia. 1988
saw one of the biggest ever joint exercises between British and Bruneian
forces, involving ships from the British Royal Navy and a British battalion
from Hong Kong as well as all elements of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

     An active programme of recruitment has been implemented in Brunei
Darussalam to attract young men and women into the Armed Forces. The Royal
Brunei Malay Reserve Regiment has been formed to retain the skills of trained
soldiers leaving the Armed Forces and as a back-up to the regular force in
times of emergency.

     In 1981 the Women's Company of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces was formed.
Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam graciously consented to
become Colonel Commandant of the Women's Company.

     The Royal Brunei Armed Forces was first established in 1961 as the Brunei
Malay Regiment. To commemorate its fifth anniversary, its name was changed to
the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment. In 1971, His Majesty The Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan awarded the Sultan's Colours to the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
In 1983, in the wake of Brunei Darussalam's independence, the name Royal
Brunei Malay Regiment was changed to Royal Brunei Armed Forces. At
celebrations in 1988 to mark the 27th anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed
Forces, His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan presented new colours to
the First and Second Battalions of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

     The Ministry is also responsible for the Gurkha Reserve Unit.

Ministry of Defence

     Telephone: [phone]

     Minister of Defence: His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei
Darussalam

     Deputy Defence Minister: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major
General (Res) Pengiran Haji Ibnu bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji
Apong

     Chief of the Armed Forces Staff: Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Seri
Dewa Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud

     Permanent Secretary (Finance and Development): Dato Paduka Sidek bin
Yahy

     Permanent Secretary (Policy and Administration): Dato Paduka Haji
Mohammad Alimin bin Haji Abdul Wahab

Task Force HQ

     Royal Brunei Armed Forces

     Telephone: [phone]

Gurkha Reserve Unit

     Telephone: [phone]

Royal Brunei Malay Reserve Regiment

     Telephone: [phone]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

     Among the principles which influence Brunei's foreign policy are support
for the United Nations Charter, a growing role in ASEAN and membership of
other international organisations which strengthens its links with other
countries.

     The United Kingdom Government was largely responsible for Brunei's
foreign policy until the resumption of full sovereignty in 1984. In that year
Brunei Darussalam was admitted as the 159th member of the United Nations. In
his acceptance speech His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan said Brunei
fully accepted the obligations contained in the United Nations Charter and,
together with other nations, would strive to realise the aims and objectives
of the United Nations.

     This declaration is reinforced by the guiding principles on which
Brunei's foreign policy is based.

     Among the principles are:

     - The maintenance of friendly relations among nations.

     - Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

     - Mutual respect of each other's territorial sovereignty, integrity and
independence.

     - Maintenance and promotion of peace, security and stability in the
region.

     Brunei plays a full and active role in ASEAN, the Association of South
East Asian Nations, whose other members are Indonesia, Malaysia, The
Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei became the sixth member of ASEAN
one week after resuming full independence.

     Brunei looks to ASEAN, the cornerstone in Brunei's foreign policy, to
ensure territorial integrity, regional peace, security and stability. Brunei
supports ASEAN's plans for ZOPFAN, a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality. It
has played an active role in meetings of ASEAN and is the current Chairman of
the ASEAN Standing Committee as well as the country co-ordinator for the
ASEAN-Canada Dialogue.

     In his speech to the ASEAN Heads of Government in Manila in December
1987, His Majesty The Sultan outlined the country's deep commitment to ASEAN:

     "Brunei has benefited much from our membership of ASEAN, and we look
forward to the future, confident that ASEAN will continue to strive for the
security and stability of the region as well as for the economic advancement
of our peoples. Brunei is committed to play its part within the constraints
and limitations of our ability as the smallest member, to ensure that ASEAN
remains a viable and effective association."

     Brunei is keen