The Scoop

29/04/2026

ASEAN, EU pledge closer cooperation as Iran war squeezes energy supplies.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Diplomats from ASEAN and European Union countries affirmed their commitment to multilateralism and dialogue, as the Iran conflict and resulting energy crisis threaten to upend global stability. Meeting in Brunei on Tuesday for the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, officials ...

28/04/2026

Ministers and diplomats from ASEAN and EU member states gathered at the ICC this morning for the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting.

As the country coordinator for ASEAN-EU relations, Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Hj Erywan Yusof, co-chaired the meeting with the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.

In a joint statement, member states pledged support for multilateralism and diplomacy as international norms come under increasing strain, saying ASEAN and the EU have a responsibility to act as "anchors of stability and predictability" amid rising global tensions.

More on this story to follow on .co.

📸:

14/04/2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Brunei's Minister of Defence II Pehin Dato Hj Halbi lay wreaths at the Brunei-Australia Memorial at Muara Beach, shortly after the PM's arrival from Canberra.

The WWII memorial honours the 127 Australian soldiers who lost their lives in Brunei Bay during the Allied military campaign to liberate north Borneo from Japanese occupation.

Albanese is in Brunei for a 2-day visit for talks with the government to secure the flow of energy supplies, fertiliser, and other critical goods as the global energy crisis depeens.

📸:

12/04/2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Brunei and Malaysia this week, continuing diplomatic efforts to secure fuel supplies from Asian allies after disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.

Albanese will travel to Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Lumpur from April 14 to 17, his office said in a statement.

He is scheduled to meet HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The trip comes as Australia leans on its Asian allies to maintain fuel supplies amid disruptions caused by Iran's blockade of the Strait ‌of ⁠Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas transited before the conflict.

Brunei supplies 9% of Australia's diesel imports and 11% of its ⁠fertiliser-grade urea imports.

"Engaging with critical regional partners such as Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia will help ensure Australia's energy supply remains secure during times of uncertainty," Albanese said.

"We are taking every step to reinforce relationships and engage with key partners to keep our fuel supply flowing."

01/04/2026

Brunei's Ministry of Defence has confirmed that RBAF soldiers currently deployed in Lebanon under the UN peacekeeping mission are in safe condition, following two separate explosions that killed three peacekeepers from Indonesia.

There are currently 21 RBAF personnel serving with a Malaysian battalion under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This was supposed to be the battalion's last deployment, after the UN Security Council voted to terminate UNIFIL's mandate last year.

On Monday, an explosion "of unknown origin" destroyed a vehicle carrying Indonesian peacekeepers, killing two personnel and injuring two others. This follows a separate incident on Sunday, when a projectile exploded near a UNIFIL position killing one soldier.

The Indonesian government has strongly condemned the incidents and has called for a thorough investigation, as violence surges amid Israel's expanding ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

30/03/2026

The Department of Energy has announced new measures to protect domestic fuel supply as the global economy faces its most severe oil shock in decades, triggered by the war in the Persian Gulf.

Under the new measures:

• Foreign-registered vehicles crossing into Brunei must enter with at least three-quarters (3/4) of a tank of fuel. Vehicles failing to comply will be denied entry, with official government vehicles exempted.

• Foreign-registered vehicles will only be allowed to purchase unsubsidised Shell V-Power gasoline or Shell V-Power diesel at designated stations.

• Brunei-registered vehicles are exempt from the 3/4 tank rule on their first entry of the day, but must comply if they re-enter a second time within 24 hours.

Full story at the 🔗 in bio.

30/03/2026

Government introduces new measures to protect national fuel supply amid global oil shock.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Foreign-registered vehicles that fail to meet new fuel requirements will be denied entry into Brunei from April 1, as the government moves to safeguard the nation’s petroleum supply. The stricter measures come as the global economy faces its most severe oil shock in decades...

26/03/2026

Brunei is set to tighten road safety regulations for cyclists, including a proposed cycling ban on major roads and highways, the MTIC Minister announced yesterday.

Speaking at the Legislative Council, Pg Dato Shamhary said the National Road Safety Council has devised a short to long-term plan to address current safety issues.

Proposals include banning cyclists from any road where the speed limit is more than 65km/h, introducing designated cycling routes in each district, and updating legislation to reflect these changes.

The measures come in the wake of two separate accidents in the past month which claimed the life of two cyclists and left another hospitalised.

To see the proposed new measures outlined by the government, visit the 🔗 in our profile.

25/03/2026

Fans of Physical Asia can expect appearances from strongman Eddie Williams and parkour athlete Dom Tomato at the upcoming Brunei Fitness Festival.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – A new chapter in Brunei’s wellness scene is about to unfold as the Brunei Fitness Festival 2026, powered by Innersejuk, makes its highly anticipated debut. Taking place from July 29 to August 2 at BRIDEX Hall, the five-day festival will run daily from 10am to 10pm, promisin...

25/03/2026

New tourism markets targeted ahead of Visit Brunei 2027.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei is targeting new tourism markets in 2026—including North America, southwest Asia, and western Europe—as part of a strategic push to boost international arrivals, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) announced Monday. Speaking at the Legislative Coun...