1. The Honourable the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon is
in Brunei Darussalam from 3 to 5 July 2024 for a reciprocal working visit at the invitation
of The Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam Dato Seri
Paduka Steven Chong. Chief Justice Menon is joined by a six-member delegation from the
Singapore Judiciary.
2. On Wednesday 3 July 2024, the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam hosted a briefing on
Insolvency and Restructuring matters with stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance and
Economy, Prime Minister’s Office and the Attorney General’s Chambers. The briefing was
delivered by Justice Kannan Ramesh, Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
of Singapore on concurrent cross-border insolvency and restructuring proceedings.
3. In attendance at the briefing was Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice Dato Seri
Paduka Steven Chong, Judicial Commissioner Hj Abdullah Soefri bin POKSM DSP Hj Abidin,
Judicial Commissioner Muhammed Faisal bin PDJLD Col (Rtd) DSP Hj Kefli, His Excellency
Laurence Bay Siow Hon, Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, and Awang
Mohammad Harris bin Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Ibrahim, Deputy Permanent
Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
4. On Thursday 4 July 2024, Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong hosted the first
annual bilateral meeting between the two Judiciaries following the signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last July 2023 in Singapore.
5. The objective of the MOU is to strengthen communication, collaboration and cooperation
on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution. The MOU serves as a fundamental
pillar of judicial cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore in providing a
platform to enhance communication, in particular through the exchange of knowledge,
expertise and best practices for the benefit of both Judiciaries. During the bilateral meeting,
the Chief Justices had productive discussions on judicial education and training, judicial
administration, family justice and insolvency and restructuring matters.
6. On Thursday 4 July 2024, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon delivered a keynote speech at
the Supreme Court to members of the Judiciary, legal fraternity, students from Sultan Sharif
Ali Islamic University and representatives from various Government ministries and
departments on “The role of an effective and efficient judiciary in promoting economic
development: the Singapore perspective”.
7. The event began with welcoming remarks by Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong
who introduced Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as the keynote speaker. Chief Justice Dato
Seri Paduka Steven Chong briefly spoke on the role of justice in economic development
and how in moving towards developing Brunei Darussalam’s economy through a wholeof-nation approach, it is important to recognise that a well-functioning judicial system
supports economic growth dynamics.
8. In attendance at the keynote speech was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang
Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat
Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib, Attorney General,
Yang Amat Arif Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang
Salim bin Haji Besar, Chief Syarie Judge, and Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Haji Sufian bin
Haji Sabtu, Deputy Minister (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office. Over 230
attendees were present at the event.
SUPREME COURT OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
4 JULY 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: INFOFOTO
