AGP Executive Report

Brunei’s Sukuk Push: A Brunei Darussalam Capital Market Development seminar on “An Introduction to Sukuk Issuance” drew nearly 100 participants, with officials urging wider corporate participation to strengthen the capital market ecosystem and spotlight sukuk as an alternative financing tool. Climate-Tech Funding (Brunei link): Temasek Trust-backed C3H helped lead Neocrete’s $3.5m funding round to scale concrete decarbonisation; Brunei’s Readymix Brunei is already using the additives to cut embodied carbon and is set to apply the tech to the Muara Port redevelopment. Royal Household Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of royal titles for “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect,” with no further details released. Regional Security Watch: China’s PLA Navy Task Force 83 returned after far-sea training and visits including Brunei, while separate reporting highlights rising militarisation risks across contested waters. Trade & Logistics Cost Pressure: Maersk raised peak season container surcharges affecting shipments to Maldives and Sri Lanka, with Brunei listed among the origins covered.

Brunei Royal Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles after her conduct was deemed “unbecoming” and said to have tarnished the monarchy’s good name, with the Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirming the revocation takes effect immediately. Maritime Security: Brunei is set to take part in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME 2026) in September, scheduled for Sept 28 to Oct 2, aimed at boosting maritime security cooperation and interoperability among participating navies. Regional Trade & Shipping Costs: Maersk has raised peak season container fees for imports into Maldives and Sri Lanka, with the surcharge applying to shipments from multiple origins including Brunei, taking effect from Aug 31 for most routes. Finance & Markets: Brunei held a Capital Market Development seminar on sukuk issuance, urging wider corporate participation to strengthen the country’s capital market ecosystem and promote sukuk as an alternative financing tool. Business & Tourism: WTM London 2026 is reporting strong early exhibitor demand, with Brunei listed among destinations already confirmed to exhibit.

Royal Household Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles after conduct deemed “unbecoming” and disrespectful, with the palace saying her actions tarnished the monarchy’s good name. Regional Security Drills: The Philippines and India are set to host the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2026 from Sept 28 to Oct 2, with Brunei among the participating navies, aiming to boost maritime security cooperation and interoperability. Defence Posture in Asia: US special operations chief Adm. Frank Bradley visited the Philippines to discuss stepped-up readiness exercises and broader alliance efforts to deter aggression in the South China Sea, where Brunei is also among long-term claimants. Brunei Finance & Markets: A Brunei Capital Market Development seminar highlighted sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, bringing together nearly 100 policymakers, regulators and potential issuers to learn about issuance and international best practices. Food & Trade Links: Brunei’s presence also shows up in wider regional business activity, including a push to deepen BIMP-Eaga trade links—spotlighting halal, food processing, fisheries and renewable energy as growth drivers.

Royal Affairs: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of royal titles after her conduct was deemed “unbecoming” and said to have tarnished the monarchy’s good name. TVET & AI: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) held an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready technical and vocational education and training (TVET) skills. Regional Defence Cooperation: Brunei is listed among participants for the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026, set for Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, aimed at boosting maritime security cooperation and interoperability. Capital Markets: Brunei’s Capital Market Development seminar focused on sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, bringing together policymakers, regulators and potential issuers. People Moves: Supermassive, Uber Advertising and Coca-Cola Beverages Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei all reported senior leadership exits and appointments, including a new creative strategy manager role at Uber for Australia and New Zealand.

Brunei Royal Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles after conduct deemed “unbecoming” and said to have tarnished the monarchy’s good name. Regional Defence & Security: Brunei is set to take part in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2026, running Sept 28–Oct 2 off the Philippines, aimed at boosting maritime security cooperation and interoperability. Brunei Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) held an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready TVET skills. Finance & Markets: A Brunei capital market seminar focused on sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, bringing together policymakers, regulators and potential issuers. Public Transport & Tourism Push: Brunei plans to strengthen public transport services and target 1 million tourists during Visit Brunei Year 2027. Health & Safety: Hong Kong’s CHP reported another severe paediatric influenza A case, urging hygiene and vaccination awareness.

Regional Defence: The Philippines and India have locked in final preparations for the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2026, set for Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, with Brunei among the 11 ASEAN participants; the drills aim to boost maritime security, coordination and interoperability. Royalty & Governance: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of royal titles for conduct described as “unbecoming” and disrespectful, with no further details released. Finance & Markets: Brunei hosted a Capital Market Development seminar on sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, bringing together nearly 100 participants including policymakers, regulators and potential issuers. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education held an international AI-focused webinar on strengthening TVET through AI literacy and future-ready skills. Public Transport & Tourism Push: Brunei is set to strengthen public transport services and targets 1 million tourists for Visit Brunei Year 2027. Training With US: Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 opened at Tutong Camp, bringing together U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces for nearly two weeks of jungle, built-up area and live-fire coordination.

Royal Discipline in Brunei: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of royal titles after her conduct was deemed “unbecoming” and disrespectful, with the palace citing tarnishing of the monarchy’s good name but not detailing the actions. Regional Security Drills: The Philippines will join India and ASEAN partners in September’s ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026, with Brunei among the participating navies, aiming to boost maritime security and interoperability. US-Asia Military Readiness: A US special operations chief said American forces are ready to step up combat-readiness exercises with the Philippines and other Asian partners to deter major conflict, including amid South China Sea tensions involving Brunei. Brunei TVET Goes Digital: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education held an international AI webinar on making TVET “future-ready,” focusing on AI literacy and skills for the digital era. Brunei Finance Spotlight: A Brunei capital market seminar highlighted sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, bringing together regulators and potential issuers.

Regional Naval Drills: The Philippine Navy will join India and ASEAN partners for the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026 in September, with Brunei among the participating navies, aiming to boost maritime security and interoperability. Royal Household Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked his daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal titles, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect,” in a rare public disciplinary move. TVET and AI in Brunei: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education hosted an international webinar on using AI literacy to make TVET more future-ready, bringing together educators, industry and policymakers. Finance & Markets: A Brunei capital market seminar focused on sukuk as an alternative financing tool, encouraging wider corporate participation and capacity building. Brunei in Defence Cooperation: U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26, a bilateral training effort on jungle operations, urban combat and live-fire coordination. Energy Project Watch: Petronas Carigali and MISC advanced work on Brunei’s Kelidang deepwater gas project, awarding key subcontracts for the floating production unit.

Brunei Royal Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles, citing conduct “unbecoming” and “lack of respect,” with the Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirming the revocation took effect immediately. Regional Security: The U.S. Army and the Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, with about 130 U.S. personnel joining nearly two weeks of training on jungle operations, built-up areas, live-fire coordination and interoperability. Brunei Economy & Finance: Brunei’s Capital Market Development seminar on sukuk highlighted the push to strengthen the capital market ecosystem and promote sukuk as an alternative financing instrument for government-linked and private sector issuers. Education & Skills: IBTE hosted an international AI webinar on future-ready TVET, focusing on AI literacy and how technical and vocational education can adapt for the digital era. Public Health (Regional): Indonesia’s wildfire haze has led to school closures in parts of the country, with smoke affecting areas including Borneo.

Royal Affairs: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked his daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal titles, citing “unbecoming” conduct and saying her actions tarnished the monarchy’s good name and showed a “lack of respect.” Finance & Markets: Brunei’s Capital Market Development seminar highlighted sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, urging wider corporate participation to strengthen the capital market ecosystem. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready skills. Security & Defence: The U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26, focusing on jungle operations, built-up areas, live-fire coordination and interoperability. Regional Security Context: A U.S. special operations commander said America is ready to step up combat drills with the Philippines and other Asian partners to deter major conflict. Public Administration: Brunei’s Rating and Valuation Department sent about 390,000 requisition forms to rates and government rent payers for occupation and tenancy details ahead of revaluation effective April 1, 2027.

Royal Household Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles after conduct described as “unbecoming,” tarnishing the monarchy’s good name and showing a “lack of respect.” Capital Markets: Brunei held a seminar on sukuk as an alternative financing instrument, with nearly 100 participants from government and the private sector urged to deepen understanding of the capital market ecosystem. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international AI-focused webinar on strengthening TVET through AI literacy and future-ready skills. Regional Defence Cooperation: The U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, with about 130 U.S. personnel joining nearly two weeks of jungle, built-up area and live-fire coordination training. International Consular Notice: The U.S. State Department published a list of countries, including Brunei, whose embassies must be notified when their citizens are arrested or detained in the U.S.

Royal Household Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles after her conduct was deemed “unbecoming” and said to have tarnished the monarchy’s good name, though the palace gave no further details; Brunei Economy & Business: FELCRA beneficiary Mariyaton Kaftiah Yusof turned torch ginger into serunding and other snacks, starting with RM500 and now selling about RM6,500 a month, with products reaching overseas markets; Regional Trade & Growth: BIMP-Eaga was highlighted as a growth corridor for Mindanao, with halal goods, processed food, fisheries and renewable energy flagged as key areas for deeper links; Finance & Markets: A Brunei Capital Market Development seminar on sukuk focused on strengthening the capital market ecosystem and promoting sukuk as an alternative financing tool; TVET & AI: Brunei’s IBTE held an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready TVET skills; Public Safety/Health: The US State Department published a list of countries, including Brunei, that must be notified when their citizens are arrested or detained in the US.

Brunei–TVET & AI: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) held an international webinar on transforming technical and vocational education through AI literacy and future-ready skills, bringing together local and overseas experts, practitioners, policymakers and industry. Brunei–Defence Cooperation: The US Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, with about 130 US personnel joining nearly two weeks of jungle, built-up area and live-fire coordination training. Brunei–Energy & Industry: Malaysia’s Petronas Carigali and MISC advanced work on the floating production unit for Brunei’s Kelidang deepwater gas project, awarding key topsides and hull/integration subcontracts. Regional Health Watch: Hong Kong recorded another severe paediatric influenza A case, urging hygiene and timely vaccination. Regional Environment: Indonesia’s wildfire haze forced school closures in parts of Borneo and beyond, with authorities racing to contain blazes worsened by El Niño. Transport Tech: Hong Kong approved a pilot licence for an autonomous vehicle trial linking West Kowloon and Kowloon Station via an air-rail intermodal route.

Brunei Education & Skills: IBTE hosted an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready TVET skills, bringing together local and overseas experts. Regional Security Drill: US Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, with about 130 US personnel training for nearly two weeks on jungle, built-up area operations and live-fire coordination. Weather & Disaster Readiness: Korea’s KMA expanded a severe weather forecasting data service for Brunei and other island nations, sharing real-time weather charts to strengthen early warnings. Public Transport Planning: Brunei’s transport ministry is studying models for continuous, quality public transport, including main-route bus services and phased Demand Responsive Transit by zones. Tourism Push: Brunei targets around 1 million tourists and about B$630 million in revenue for Visit Brunei Year 2027, with 400,000 arrivals already recorded in the first half of 2026. Business & Energy (Brunei-linked): Petronas Carigali and MISC advanced work on the Kelidang deepwater gas project offshore Brunei, awarding key subcontracts for the floating production unit. Tech & Finance (Regional): Skyro plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and appointed a former Mastercard executive to lead its Middle East push.

Brunei Energy & Industry: Petronas Carigali and MISC have advanced Brunei’s Kelidang deepwater gas project with two key subcontracts for the floating production unit, including topsides modules work by China’s Jutal and hull conversion plus integration at Malaysia’s MMHE. Public Transport & Jobs: Brunei is researching how to keep public transport reliable and accessible, weighing main-route bus services versus phased Demand Responsive Transit zones, while the education ministry says it’s reshaping higher education and TVET for an AI-driven job landscape. Tourism Push: Brunei targets about 1 million tourists and B$630 million in tourism revenue for Visit Brunei Year 2027, with a focus on high-value stays and spending. Regional Security: The US State Department hit back at China’s Scarborough Reef “nature reserve” rules, calling them destabilizing and denying Filipino fishermen access. Regional Environment: Indonesia’s wildfire haze is forcing school closures across the region, with smoke affecting parts of Malaysia and Brunei’s wider neighbourhood. ASEAN Trade Links: Hong Kong opened a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur, with coverage that includes Brunei in its regional remit.

Brunei Energy & Industry: Petronas Carigali and MISC are pushing ahead with Brunei’s Kelidang deepwater gas project, awarding key subcontracts for the floating production unit—Jutal Offshore Oil Services in China will handle topsides modules, while Malaysia’s MMHE will convert a tanker into the FPU hull and integrate topsides at its Pasir Gudang yard. Regional Environment: Wildfire haze from Indonesia is forcing school closures across the region, including in West Kalimantan (Pontianak) where children learn from home as air quality stays poor; the fires have burned through more than 100,000 hectares so far. Public Transport Planning (Brunei): Brunei’s Transport and Infocommunications Ministry is studying how to keep public transport continuous and accessible, weighing main-route bus services versus phased Demand Responsive Transit in zones. Tourism Push (Brunei): Brunei targets about 1 million tourists and roughly B$630 million in tourism revenue for Visit Brunei Year 2027, with a focus on higher-value visitors who stay longer and spend more locally. Education for Jobs (Brunei): Brunei’s education ministry says it is adapting higher education and TVET for an AI-driven job market, including curriculum updates, more project-based learning with industry, and data-led graduate outcome checks. ASEAN & Diplomacy: ASEAN Day events highlight the push to keep ASEAN central amid global fragmentation, while regional leaders call for stronger cooperation on conflict, climate, economic uncertainty and AI.