AGP Executive Report

Brunei Royal Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal title and style with immediate effect, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that tarnished the monarchy’s good name. The decree affects her status as part of the royal family, while her children’s titles are reported to remain unchanged; the palace has not disclosed what exactly she did. Regional Security: The Philippines and India have finalized preparations for the second Asean-India Maritime Exercise (AIME), set for Sept 28–Oct 2, with Brunei among the 12 participating navies, aiming to boost maritime security cooperation and interoperability. Haze & Neighbours: Sarawak leaders say transboundary haze should be discussed at ASEAN level, warning that fires near Baram and Kuala Baram can send smoke toward Brunei; cloud seeding is being considered. Energy & Industry: Brunei’s Department of Electrical Services has signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal power station, adding 215MW to strengthen electricity supply. Business & Finance: Brunei held a capital market seminar on sukuk as an alternative financing tool, bringing together policymakers, regulators and potential issuers.

Brunei Royal Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal title and style “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” with immediate effect, after the Office of the Grand Chamberlain said her conduct was “unbecoming” and showed “lack of respect,” tarnishing the monarchy’s good name; the palace did not spell out what she did, and reports suggest no divorce has been announced, while her children’s titles are said to remain unchanged. Regional Security: The Philippines will join India and ASEAN partners for the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026 in late September, with Brunei listed among participating navies, aiming to boost maritime security and interoperability. Transboundary Haze Watch: Sarawak leaders say haze concerns may be raised at ASEAN level, citing risks to Brunei from fires near Baram and Kuala Baram, with cloud seeding being considered. Brunei Economy/Energy: Brunei’s Department of Electrical Services has signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal combined cycle gas turbine power station, adding 215MW to strengthen electricity supply.

Royal Affairs: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked his daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal titles and style “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” with immediate effect, citing conduct described as “unbecoming” and “lack of respect” that tarnished the monarchy’s reputation, though no specific details were released; she is married to Prince Abdul Malik, fourth in line to the throne, and their children’s titles were reported to remain unchanged. Regional Security Drills: The Philippine Navy will join the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026 in late September, with Brunei among participating navies, aiming to boost maritime security and interoperability under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.” Transboundary Haze: Sarawak is expected to raise transboundary haze concerns at ASEAN level via the steering committee, with officials warning smoke could drift toward Brunei and noting cloud seeding is being assessed. Brunei-Linked Energy: Brunei’s Department of Electrical Services signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal combined cycle gas turbine power station, adding 215MW to strengthen electricity supply under Vision 2035. Capital Markets: Brunei held a seminar on sukuk issuance to promote alternative financing and deepen understanding among policymakers, regulators, and potential issuers.

Royal Discipline in Brunei: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her princess title and royal style “with immediate effect,” citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that “tarnished the monarchy’s good name,” though the palace did not specify what she did; she remains married to Prince Abdul Malik, fourth in line to the throne, and their children’s titles were reported to be unaffected. Regional Security Drills: The U.S. says special operations forces are set to step up war-readiness exercises with the Philippines and other Asian partners to deter major conflict, with China and South China Sea tensions in focus. Brunei Energy & Finance: Brunei signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal power station, adding 215MW, while a separate seminar highlighted sukuk as an alternative financing tool for Brunei’s capital market. Haze Watch (Region): Malaysia’s haze worsened, with Sarawak’s Serian hitting “very unhealthy” API levels above 200, prompting school closures. Diplomatic Note: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim received a call from the Brunei Sultan checking on his health and offering prayers ahead of next week’s Leaders’ Consultation in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Royal Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked all royal titles of his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, effective immediately, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” toward the Sultan. The Office of the Grand Chamberlain confirmed she is no longer considered part of the royal family, but did not specify what she did. Raabi’atul, 33, is married to Prince Abdul Malik (4th in line), and their four children’s titles reportedly remain unchanged. Regional Security: A US special operations commander says American forces are ready to step up combat readiness drills with the Philippines and other Asian partners to deter major conflict, amid ongoing South China Sea tensions involving Brunei. Energy & Economy: Brunei signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal combined-cycle gas turbine power station, adding 215MW, while a Brunei capital market seminar promoted sukuk as an alternative financing tool.

Royal Family Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles after conduct described as “unbecoming” and “a lack of respect,” with the Office of the Grand Chamberlain saying the move tarnished the monarchy’s good name; her children’s titles are reported to remain unaffected. Energy & Infrastructure: Brunei’s Department of Electrical Services signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal Combined Cycle Gas Turbines Power Station, adding 215MW to strengthen electricity supply under Brunei Vision 2035. Finance & Markets: Brunei held a “Sukuk Issuance” capital market seminar, urging wider corporate participation and highlighting sukuk as an alternative financing instrument. Regional Mobility: A Chinese-made cruise ship, Adora Magic City, began its first international cruise in the Greater Bay Area, with late-August calls including Muara, Brunei. Education & Skills: IBTE hosted an international webinar on using AI literacy to make TVET more future-ready. Local Governance/Community: Brunei’s DES also continues training efforts for aviation and maritime accident investigation, while the week’s wider coverage includes Brunei-linked regional developments.

Royal Household Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of all royal titles after conduct described as “unbecoming,” citing it tarnished the monarchy’s good name and showed a “lack of respect” toward the Sultan. The palace did not say what she did, but her four children’s titles remain unchanged. Energy & Infrastructure: Brunei’s Department of Electrical Services signed a contract with Sinohydro for Phase 2 of the Bukit Panggal Combined Cycle Gas Turbines Power Station, adding 215MW to strengthen electricity supply and support Brunei Vision 2035. Finance & Markets: A Brunei Capital Market Development seminar on “An Introduction to Sukuk Issuance” drew nearly 100 participants, pushing sukuk as an alternative financing tool to broaden the capital market ecosystem. Regional Cooperation: Brunei and the U.S. kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, with nearly two weeks of jungle and built-up area training aimed at readiness and interoperability. Cruise Tourism: The Chinese-made Adora Magic City began its first international cruise from Shenzhen, with late-August calls including Muara, Brunei. TVET & AI: Brunei’s IBTE held an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready TVET skills.

Brunei Royal Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, wife of Prince Abdul Malik, of all royal titles for “unbecoming” conduct, with the Royal Court saying her actions tarnished the monarchy and showed lack of respect; the royal children’s titles remain unaffected. Health & Community: In the UK, former Rifles colour sergeant Mark Campbell—who taught jungle warfare in Brunei—has launched a GoFundMe after being diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, with support efforts including a Tough Mudder fundraiser. Regional Environment: Malaysia’s haze worsened as 11 monitoring stations recorded unhealthy API readings and Serian hit 204 (“very unhealthy”), with schools and learning-from-home measures triggered under the haze action plan. Brunei Development & Skills: Brunei’s IBTE hosted an international AI-focused TVET webinar, while the Ministry of Development says national housing projects are adopting Industrialized Building System methods to improve quality and cut waste. Defence Cooperation: The US Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp, aiming to boost readiness and interoperability through jungle and built-up area training.

Haze Watch: Malaysia’s air got worse as 11 monitoring stations hit unhealthy API readings and Serian in Sarawak logged a very unhealthy 204, blamed on El Niño-linked dry weather and transboundary smoke plus local fires. Royal Updates: Brunei’s Sultan stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of all royal titles for “unbecoming” conduct; details weren’t specified. Health & Diplomacy: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim received a call from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah checking on his health after an elective hernia surgery, with an audience planned next week in Bandar Seri Begawan for the Malaysia–Brunei Leaders’ Consultation. Brunei Skills & Tech: Brunei hosted an international AI webinar on TVET, while the KMA expanded severe weather forecasting data sharing for Brunei and the region. Military Training: US Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces kicked off Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp. Energy & Industry: Brunei’s housing projects are adopting Industrialized Building System methods, and EV registrations rose to 2.8% of vehicles in Jan–Jun 2026.

South China Sea Tensions: The US State Department hit back at China’s new “national nature reserve” rules at Scarborough Reef, calling them destabilizing and warning they deny Filipino fishermen access. Maritime Inclusion Debate: Brunei Maritime Week 2026 hosted a panel where women in the sector pushed back on “headcounts” as the only measure of progress. Brunei Housing Upgrade: Brunei’s national housing projects are adopting Industrialized Building System (IBS) and modern construction tech to improve quality, cut build times, reduce waste, and lower carbon emissions. Transport & Safety Training: Brunei is running an eight-day workshop to strengthen aviation and maritime accident investigation capabilities. EV Push: EV registrations rose to 2.8% of all vehicle registrations (Jan–Jun 2026), up from 0.7% in 2025, as charging points expand. Public Transport Plans: Brunei is studying bus main-route services and phased Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) zones to keep services continuous and accessible. Tourism Targets: Brunei aims for about 1 million tourists and B$630m tourism revenue in Visit Brunei Year 2027, with 400,000 arrivals in the first half of 2026.

Brunei Housing & Infrastructure: Brunei’s Ministry of Development says national housing projects are now adopting the Industrialized Building System (IBS), aiming to boost construction quality, cut build times, reduce material waste, and lower long-term carbon emissions. Transport & Safety Skills: Brunei is also running an eight-day training workshop to strengthen professional, comprehensive investigations into aviation and maritime accidents. EV Uptick: Electric vehicles are rising fast in Brunei, making up 2.8% of vehicle registrations in Jan–Jun 2026 versus 0.7% in 2025, with charging coverage expanding to 22 locations and 40 charging points as of July 23. Regional Environment Watch: Indonesia’s El Niño-linked wildfires are worsening haze across the region, with dozens of schools closed in places like Pontianak as air quality stays poor. ASEAN/Trade Links: Hong Kong opened a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur, with officials saying it will deepen ties across ASEAN, including Brunei. Public Transport Planning: Brunei is considering models to keep public transport continuous, including main-route bus services and phased Demand Responsive Transit zones.

Transboundary Haze: Indonesia’s wildfires are forcing schools to close in Pontianak for a second day as smoke worsens air quality, with firefighters battling blazes in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and authorities warning of a tough dry season driven by El Niño. Brunei Transport Plans: Brunei’s transport ministry is studying two models for public transport continuity—main-route buses and phased Demand Responsive Transit covering two zones first—along with better infrastructure and more technology. Visit Brunei 2027 Targets: Brunei aims for about 1 million tourists and B$630 million in tourism revenue, with 400,000 arrivals already recorded in the first half of 2026. Education for Jobs: The education ministry says it’s reshaping higher education and TVET for an AI-driven job market through curriculum updates, project-based learning, and data-led graduate outcomes. Royal Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah removed his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal titles via decree, citing conduct unbecoming of a royal spouse. Aviation Connectivity: Royal Brunei Airlines expands its codeshare with Turkish Airlines, adding an Istanbul route via Kuala Lumpur. ASEAN Context: ASEAN Day celebrations in the region stressed centrality and unity amid global fragmentation, with leaders calling for dialogue and cooperation.

Brunei Public Transport Plan: Brunei’s Transport and Infocommunications Ministry is studying how to keep public transport continuous, quality-focused and accessible, considering main-route bus services and a phased Demand Responsive Transit rollout starting with two zones. Visit Brunei Year 2027: Brunei targets about 1 million tourists and roughly B$630 million in tourism revenue, with 400,000 arrivals already recorded in the first half of 2026 and a push toward high-value, longer-stay visitors. Education for the AI Job Market: The education ministry says it is reshaping higher education and TVET with new technology-related curriculum modules, more project-based learning with industry, and data-driven checks using graduate and employer surveys. Royal Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has removed his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal titles following conduct deemed unbecoming and damaging to the monarchy’s name. Regional Connectivity: Royal Brunei Airlines expands its Turkish Airlines codeshare, adding a Bandar Seri Begawan–Istanbul route via Kuala Lumpur from 7 Aug 2026.

ASEAN at 59: Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah marked ASEAN Day with a message urging the bloc to build a shared future together, as leaders stressed dialogue, unity and people-centred progress amid a more fragmented world. Regional diplomacy: Malaysia’s foreign minister said ASEAN centrality must stay the region’s “autonomous compass,” while the Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for rule of law and cooperation as crises ripple beyond borders. Brunei in the spotlight: Royal Brunei Airlines expanded its Turkish Airlines codeshare, adding a Bandar Seri Begawan–Istanbul route via Kuala Lumpur from 7 August, boosting access for travellers and supporting Visit Brunei 2027. Local economy & jobs: Brunei reported a 125% jump in new company registrations in 2025 and outlined steps to push more Bruneians into private-sector work, including a minimum wage policy. Energy & infrastructure: Brunei highlighted PPP progress, including a 30MW solar plant near the capital and port efficiency upgrades at Muara. Wealth markets: UOB signed an agreement for Allianz Global Investors to acquire UOB Asset Management, covering Brunei among other ASEAN markets, with a distribution partnership planned to complete in 2027.

ASEAN at 59: ASEAN marked its 59th anniversary with leaders stressing rule of law, dialogue and unity as regional tensions and flashpoints continue to test the bloc’s central role. Brunei’s Vision 2035 push: In Brunei, a minister told lawmakers that Vision 2035 needs resilient growth, a stronger private sector and more jobs for Bruneians, alongside tighter inflation control. Private sector jobs drive: Brunei also outlined steps to boost Bruneians working in the private sector, including better matching via the Brunei Job Centre and a minimum wage policy. Business momentum: Brunei reported a 125% jump in new company registrations in 2025, with 200 registrations in the first half of 2026. PPP for energy, tourism and ports: Brunei highlighted public-private partnership projects, including a 30MW AC solar plant due to start operations by end-2026 and upgrades at Muara Port to improve efficiency. Maritime industry ties: Anson International and SPHI Marine signed an MoU to explore collaboration in marine support, vessel maintenance and quayside solutions during Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week.

ASEAN 59th Anniversary: Brunei marked ASEAN Day amid calls for stronger internal unity as geopolitics and energy shocks test the bloc’s centrality, while regional leaders highlighted people-centred resilience under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Brunei Economy & Jobs: A minister said Brunei Vision 2035 needs resilient growth, higher productivity through technology, and a stronger private sector to create more jobs; separate remarks outlined steps to boost Bruneians working in the private sector, including matching via the Brunei Job Centre and a private-sector minimum wage policy. Private Sector Momentum: Brunei saw a 125% jump in new company registrations in 2025 (354 vs 157 in 2024), with 200 registrations in the first half of 2026. Energy, Tourism, Ports via PPP: Public-private partnership projects include a 30MW AC solar plant near Bandar Seri Begawan expected to start operations by end-2026, and upgrades at Muara Port to improve efficiency and connectivity. Maritime Collaboration: An MoU signed during Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week 2026 aims to explore marine support services, vessel maintenance and quayside solutions. Digital Future: EVYD backed DFCE 2026 discussions on AI governance, stressing trust, risk-based adoption and balancing data sovereignty with international integration. Regional Culture & Rights: InterPride’s Thai transgender co-president urged global LGBTQ+ solidarity, noting Brunei among countries where such identities remain criminalised.