AGP Executive Report

Brunei–China Defence Ties: Brunei is keeping its security cooperation with Beijing “measured” and low-key, with analysts pointing to peacekeeping as the safest diplomatic lane amid South China Sea tensions. Regional Maritime Security: Brunei-linked naval drills under ADMM-Plus in the Philippines saw 11 ships from eight countries practice formation, medical evacuation, and search-and-rescue, while China stayed out of the sea phase. UN Diplomacy: Russia’s Lavrov is set for dozens of UN General Assembly meetings, including talks with Brunei among other countries. Local Business & Transport: Pos Malaysia says one in three parcels are now delivered by electric vehicles, cutting thousands of tonnes of CO2e since 2023. ASEAN Economic Moves: ASEAN and Hong Kong signed a protocol to strengthen investment protections, while Indonesia pushed for stronger RCEP use to help businesses, including MSMEs. Sports (Brunei angle): Brunei’s Faiq Bolkiah remains a free agent after his club contract expired, and Brunei’s football team is set to face Laos in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

South China Sea Diplomacy: Brunei is sticking to “quiet diplomacy” with Beijing, with analysts pointing to Bandar Seri Begawan’s preference for modest, practical defence ties amid ongoing maritime claims. Regional Security Drills: Indonesia is hosting a major ADMM-Plus disaster response exercise, “Trident Resolve,” with 19 countries taking part in Western Java. ASEAN Economic Moves: ASEAN and Hong Kong have signed a protocol to amend the ASEAN–Hong Kong investment agreement, aiming for stronger protection and fairer treatment for businesses. RCEP Push: Indonesia called for stronger RCEP cooperation and wider use of the deal’s benefits, including for MSMEs, while advancing accession work. Brunei in the Tech Spotlight: Brunei’s team Kandila placed in the top five at Malaysia’s ASEAN GeoAI Fusion 2026 awards. Brunei Mentioned in Overseas Politics: Rosmah Mansor said support for Najib has come from abroad, including Brunei, as UMNO’s fundraising for the RM50m fine draws attention. Brunei Sports & Culture: Brunei’s presence also shows up in regional coverage, from Asian Games updates to a Southeast Asian cinema festival in Laos.

Asian Games 2026: India’s Day 4 push is led by Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker (10m air pistol) and Mirabai Chanu (women’s 49kg), with the men’s badminton team set for a semifinal against China and India’s women’s hockey team taking on Thailand. Brunei in regional spotlight: Brunei’s Kandila placed among the top five at Malaysia’s ASEAN GeoAI Fusion 2026, showing up in the event’s GeoAI and geospatial innovation rankings. Brunei royal footballer update: Faiq Bolkiah, linked to the Brunei royal family, is reported to be a free agent after his Thai club deal expired, with his next move still unclear. Regional energy talks: Indonesia says it is still negotiating electricity pricing for the ASEAN Power Grid, arguing the deal must be “fair” before signing. Haze and fires: Indonesia’s wildfire crisis continues to strain firefighting efforts, with smoke affecting parts of Malaysia and Singapore as authorities deploy large air and ground resources. Local business: Lexus Brunei unveiled the all-new ES 350h, while Toyota Brunei held a Fortuner Day gathering for owners and families.

Electricity Pricing Talks: Indonesia says it’s still negotiating electricity price terms before joining the ASEAN Power Grid, warning the deal must be “fair” and not a 70-30 split. Digital Infrastructure & Geopolitics: The U.S. is funding a new trans-Pacific internet cable feasibility study linking Thailand and several Southeast Asian countries while bypassing the South China Sea, aiming to reduce disruption risks and limit China’s reach. Brunei-Linked Energy Scrutiny: A report claims a large share of fuel Australia imports from Brunei’s Hengyi refinery is Russian-derived, raising concerns about indirect support for Russia’s war. Regional Security: Indonesia deploys 5,641 police for the FIFA ASEAN Cup across Jakarta and Bandung, with security covering venues, routes, and digital monitoring. Brunei Sports & Community: DPMM FC and KL City played out a 3-3 FA Cup quarterfinal first-leg draw, setting up a decisive second match. Local Business & Lifestyle: Lexus Brunei unveils the ES 350h hybrid sedan, while Toyota Brunei holds Fortuner Day for owners with activities and lucky draws. Travel Rules: Thailand’s visa exemption changes from 60 to 30 days for many travellers from Sept 15, 2026.

Maritime Security: Two Indian Navy warships (INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish) joined USS Canberra and other regional forces for an ADMM-Plus maritime drill around the Philippines, underscoring deeper Indo-Pacific naval cooperation. Regional Sports: Indonesia deployed 5,641 police personnel for the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Jakarta and Bandung, with security covering stadiums, routes, and contingency threats. Asian Games Update: China leads the Aichi-Nagoya medal table after day two with 38 medals; Brunei sits on 1 bronze while India is 12th with 6 medals. Haze & Wildfires: Indonesia’s fires continue to strain neighbours as Malaysia ramps up help to fight blazes and toxic smoke spreads across the region. Local-Interest Brunei: Basma Lachkar of Brunei won joint bronze in women’s taijiquan-taijijian at the Asian Games, while Brunei’s presence also shows up in the medal tally. Business/Community: Maju Motors held a BYD grand lucky draw, with Ahmad Faid winning a BYD Sealion 6.

FIFA ASEAN Cup Security: Indonesia deployed 5,641 police for Operation Garuda Bakti 2026, running Sept 21–Oct 6, to protect stadiums, arrivals, teams, supporters and key installations in Jakarta and Bandung. Regional Haze Crisis: Indonesia’s wildfire smoke continues to blanket parts of Southeast Asia, with Malaysia sending a Bombardier CL-415MP, three helicopters and 52 firefighters after Jakarta accepted help. Brunei-Linked Sports: KL City FC held DPMM FC to a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup quarterfinal first leg, setting up a decisive second match on Oct 11. Brunei at the Asian Games: Brunei’s Basma Lachkar won joint bronze in women’s taijiquan-taijijian, tying with Singapore’s Zeanne Law. ASEAN Trade Move: ASEAN members can voluntarily apply the upgraded ATIGA Second Protocol provisionally among themselves ahead of its June 2027 entry into force. Brunei in Culture: A China-Brunei cultural performance marked 35 years of diplomatic ties, featuring disabled artists and sign language poetry.

Football in Brunei: KL City fought back from behind to draw 3-3 with DPMM FC in the first leg of the 2026/27 FA Cup quarterfinals at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, setting up a second-leg showdown in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 11. Regional trade: ASEAN adopted a move allowing signatories to voluntarily apply the upgraded ATIGA Second Protocol early, ahead of its June 2027 entry into force—Brunei is among the countries involved. Haze and fires: Malaysia has agreed to help Indonesia tackle wildfires driving the transboundary haze, sending a CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighters after talks with President Prabowo. Maritime security: The U.S. Navy joined an ADMM-Plus maritime exercise co-hosted by Japan and the Philippines, with ships and aircraft operating around the region amid ongoing South China Sea tensions. Brunei-linked sport at the Asian Games: Brunei’s Basma Lachkar won joint bronze in women’s taijiquan-taijijian, while Agatha Wong finished 10th in the same event. In memoriam: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah leaders extended condolences after former Bongawan ADUN Karim Bujang died at 73.

ASEAN Trade Boost: ASEAN members can now voluntarily apply the upgraded ATIGA Second Protocol ahead of its June 2027 start, with the Philippines, Brunei and others among the 10 signatories moving to allow provisional use between notified states. ASEAN Investment Ties: ASEAN and Hong Kong signed the first protocol to amend their investment agreement, aiming for non-discriminatory treatment and more legal certainty for enterprises. Maritime Security Drill: U.S. naval forces joined an ADMM-Plus maritime security exercise with Brunei among participating countries, focused on cooperation and readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Brunei in the Spotlight at Asian Games: Brunei’s Basma Lachkar won joint bronze in women’s taijiquan-taijijian at the Asian Games, tying with Singapore’s Zeanne Law, while Agatha Wong’s campaign ended with 10th in her events. Customs Crackdown: Brunei Royal Customs seized controlled drugs, plus illegal alcohol and cigarettes, detaining two Bruneians in separate operations near the border. Regional Haze Response: Malaysia approved sending aircraft, helicopters and firefighters to help Indonesia tackle wildfires driving toxic haze across the region. Sports—Local Link: Pak Suzuki has started exporting the Suzuki Alto to Brunei, marking a new step in Brunei-bound vehicle supply.

Brunei-China ties: A cultural performance featuring Brunei artists and China’s Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in Bandar Seri Begawan, with officials and more than 400 guests attending. Customs crackdown: Brunei Royal Customs and Excise seized controlled drugs and also detained suspects over smuggling beer, alcohol, and cigarettes in separate operations near the border. Regional haze response: Malaysia has agreed to help Indonesia fight wildfires in Borneo, sending a CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters, and 52 personnel after talks between leaders; Indonesia says it remains compliant with ASEAN fire-response protocols and has not received formal protest notes. Tourism push: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won a Brunei Technology Excellence Award for its AI tourism platform “Nakhoda,” built with the Tourism Development Department ahead of Visit Brunei Year 2027. Sports spotlight: Brunei’s taijiquan and taijijian medal hopes at Asian Games 2026 include Basma Lachkar, listed among the top contenders for the women’s events.

Brunei Customs Crackdown: Brunei’s Royal Customs and Excise says it seized controlled drugs and also stopped smuggling of alcohol and cigarettes in separate operations, detaining two Bruneians in each case. South China Sea Tensions: The Philippine Coast Guard and China’s coast guard trade accusations after a collision near Sabina Shoal/Xianbin Jiao, with both sides claiming the other deliberately escalated the incident. ASEAN AI Rivalry: A panel in Jakarta warned that AI is becoming a new US-China influence battleground, with competing regional initiatives shaping access to chips and capabilities. Regional Connectivity Push: Philippines VP Sara Duterte urged investors to turn Mindanao–Borneo infrastructure into real trade and jobs, warning roads and ports mean little without business use. Wildlife Trafficking Alert: Five baby orangutans found in India are linked to a growing exotic pet trade, with Indonesia seeking their return. Tourism Tech in Brunei: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won a Brunei Technology Excellence Award for its AI tourism platform “Nakhoda,” built with the Tourism Development Department for Visit Brunei Year 2027. Sports Note: Indonesia captain Jay Idzes will miss the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a thigh injury.

Cross-border trade push: Philippines VP Sara Duterte urged investors to turn Mindanao–Borneo links into real business, saying infrastructure only matters when farmers and traders can actually use ports and routes. Brunei enforcement: Royal Customs seized controlled drugs (4,254.32g) and also stopped smuggling of beer, alcohol and cigarettes in separate operations near the border. Visa rules affecting Brunei travellers: The US published the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver list, which includes Brunei, letting eligible citizens apply to enter without a standard US visa. Regional haze update: Indonesia says it remains fully compliant with ASEAN forest-fire protocols and has not received formal protest notes, even as smoke continues to hit parts of the region including Brunei. Tourism tech win: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won a Brunei Technology Excellence Award for its AI tourism planning platform “Nakhoda,” built with the Tourism Development Department for Visit Brunei Year 2027. Wildlife trafficking alert: Five baby orangutans found in India are tied to a wider illegal exotic pet trade; Indonesia has requested their return.

Brunei Tech & Tourism: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won a Brunei Technology Excellence Award for its AI tourism platform “Nakhoda,” built with Brunei’s Tourism Development Department to help visitors plan trips and support local operators ahead of Visit Brunei Year 2027. Regional Environment: Indonesia says it remains fully compliant with ASEAN haze protocols and has not received formal protest notes, as wildfires continue to push smoke into Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, Brunei and parts of the Philippines. Wildlife Crime: Five baby orangutans found in India have exposed a “massive” exotic pet trafficking trade, with Indonesia requesting their return; the species is native to Borneo shared with Malaysia and Brunei. Energy & Climate Finance: Nigeria LNG urged the gas industry to treat methane reduction as a revenue priority, arguing leak prevention and gas recovery can pay for itself while cutting emissions. Cybersecurity in Brunei: Brunei Cyber Security Conference (CySec 2026) launched to strengthen resilience of critical infrastructure under Brunei’s cyber security framework. Business & Trade: SICCI plans an India trade push starting with a Tamil Nadu mission to deepen cross-border links.

Methane & gas revenue: Nigeria LNG says methane reduction should be treated as a business priority, arguing every tonne of methane lost means lost product and lost revenue. CEO Adeleye Falade urged the industry to measure methane losses, invest in leak prevention and gas recovery, and use independent verification—citing projects like boil-off gas compression and start-up gas recovery aimed at cutting methane by about 10–15%. Brunei youth & inclusion: Brunei’s creative scene gets a boost with Kreative Fest 2027 and a Kreative Fest Tour starting in November, while International School Brunei officially opened its Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) Bandar to support children with diverse learning needs. Cyber resilience: Brunei Cyber Security Conference (CySec 2026) launched to strengthen protection of critical infrastructure, under the theme “Resilient by Design.” Regional haze crisis: Indonesia’s worst wildfires in 11 years are driving hazardous smoke across Borneo and beyond, with Indonesia saying it has not received protest notes while continuing mitigation efforts. Regional diplomacy & cooperation: Malaysia’s Armed Forces highlighted defence diplomacy guided by ASEAN Centrality and non-alignment, and ASEAN is set to deepen ties with Qatar after Qatar’s designation as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.

Brunei Community & Culture: Kreative Fest 2027 is set to bring Brunei’s creative scene together, with a Kreative Fest Tour starting in November and a first Event Organisers’ Gathering tentatively on Sept 19, building momentum for the main five-day festival. Education & Inclusion: International School Brunei (ISB) officially opened its Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) Bandar in Kg Sungai Hanching on Sept 15, expanding specialist support for children with diverse learning needs in Brunei-Muara. Cybersecurity: Brunei Cyber Security Conference (CySec 2026) launched Sept 15–16 under “Resilient by Design,” with ministers highlighting the Cyber Security Order (2023), Cyber Security Act (2024) and the 2023–2027 national strategy. Regional Haze Impact: Indonesia’s wildfire haze continues to disrupt daily life across Borneo and beyond, with hazardous air readings reported in parts of Malaysia and fears for children’s health as smoke drifts into Brunei and other neighbours. Sports (Brunei in focus): Brunei’s U17 team is listed among Group G opponents for AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Oman, with matches scheduled for Nov 11. Regional Diplomacy: China’s defence minister Dong Jun met Brunei and ASEAN officials in Beijing, reiterating support for deeper security cooperation. Tourism Boost Nearby: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival (Sept 25–27) expects 30,000 visitors, including from Brunei and Indonesia, aiming to lift local tourism and the economy.

Haze Crisis Across Borneo: Residents in Pontianak, West Kalimantan say wildfire smoke is worsening by the day, with air quality briefly spiking above 1,100 and people reporting burning eyes, dizziness and chest tightness—while families worry about children’s health. Regional Response: Malaysia says it’s coordinating with Indonesia on cross-border haze mitigation, including border cloud-seeding, after Indonesia approved weather-modification operations; the haze has also affected parts of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. Brunei in the Spotlight at Xiangshan: China’s defence minister Dong Jun met Brunei and ASEAN officials in Beijing, saying the military is ready for deeper practical cooperation on global security. Local Education & Skills: Universiti Brunei Darussalam hosted a heritage education exhibition, and Brunei will take part in the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai with competitors in cooking, network systems administration and mechanical engineering. ASEAN-Qatar Ties: Qatar’s new status as an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner is set to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity and sustainable development. Digital Payments Award: Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd (DST) won Best Fintech Company Brunei Darussalam 2026, citing growth of its MyDST super app and integrated payment services.

Brunei in regional security talks: China’s defence minister Dong Jun said the Chinese military is ready to deepen cooperation with countries including Brunei to tackle global security challenges at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. Haze and cross-border health: Malaysia is coordinating with Indonesia to curb forest-fire haze, including border cloud-seeding, as smoke from Kalimantan and Sumatra affects Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia and triggers respiratory illness. BIMP-Eaga connectivity: A proposed Tiblawan International Port in Davao Oriental is being reviewed, with hopes it will strengthen trade and tourism links with Brunei under the BIMP-Eaga network. Local education and skills: Universiti Brunei Darussalam hosted a heritage education exhibition, and Brunei will take part in the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai with competitors in cooking, network systems administration and mechanical engineering. Travel rules in the region: Thailand has ended its 60-day visa-free scheme from Sept 15, cutting many stays to 30 days and tightening land-border limits. Culture and film buzz: Malaysian horror film “Khadam” is trending in Hong Kong ahead of its Oct 8 release, including chatter over its Cantonese title sounding like actress Carina Lau.