CHANGI NAVAL BASE, REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE, Wednesday, 15 March 2023 – The Patrol Vessel Handing Over, Taking Over Ceremony between the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) took place in Changi Naval Base today. The ceremony was another significant milestone of the longstanding ties of more than 43 years between both navies.
Present as Guest of Honour at the ceremony were Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Melvyn Ong Su Kiat , Chief of Defence Force Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Also present were Rear Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force SAF Designate, Rear Admiral Sean Wat Jianwen, Chief of RSN, Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Esa Al-Islam bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Yunus, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Development and Maintenance) Ministry of Defence Negara Brunei Darussalam, Captain Khairil bin Haji Abdul Rahman RBN, Fleet Commander RBN, Colonel Kwan Hon Chuong, Fleet Commander RSN, His Excellency High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Negara Brunei Darussalam, senior officers, officers and staff from both sides.
Lieutenant General Dato Paduka Seri Melvyn Ong Su Kiat initiated the ceremony with his opening remarks which was reciprocated by Commander RBAF’s remarks. The ceremony continued with the signing of the Certificate of Transfer between the Chief of Defence Force SAF and Commander RBAF, followed by a video showcasing the cooperation and training activities carried out between the RSN and the first RBN crew of the Patrol Vessel. Upon completion, Commander RBAF delivered the citation for naming the patrol vessel AS-SIDDIQ.
The ceremony proceeded with the handing over of the Negara Brunei Darussalam national flag and RBN Ensign from Commander RBAF to Lieutenant Commander Haji Mohammad Arnold bin Haji Osman RBN, Commanding Officer of AS-SIDDIQ. The national flag was then hoisted onboard AS-SIDDIQ before the commencement of Azan and Doa to bless the event. The ceremony continued with the presentation of the Symbol of Transfer by the Chief of Defence Force SAF to Commander RBAF and followed by group photo session.
The Handing Over, Taking Over Ceremony concluded with the sailing-off of AS-SIDDIQ and her crew to Negara Brunei Darussalam.
AS-SIDDIQ was a name that translated to “truthful”. It represented one who carried out the command of the almighty Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and honoured one’s duty to the sovereign with sincerity, honesty and integrity.