Brunei Darussalam Wished to Buy Indonesian Built Battle Vehicles

Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said Brunei Darussalam wished to buy Indonesian built battle vehicles and other arms.

"They will be using our products including battle cars and arms," Sudi Silalahi told newsmen after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a working visit to Riau Islands province Sunday.

He said the defense cooperation with Brunei was one of the outcome of the President’s state visit to Brunei Darussalam on February 24, 2011, on the day before visiting Riau Islands. Sudi also said that the defense cooperation with Brunei had been stated in an MoU that had been signed.

However, Sudi did not specify the defense equipment for export to Brunei. He also did not mention the time of the cooperation.

The written joint statement between President Yudhoyono and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said that the two countries also agreed to form and increase the role of a defense joint committee. The two heads of state believed that the committee will increase and strengthen and cooperation and friendship between Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

Besides in defense, the two countries also agreed to promote cooperation in agriculture, culture and tourism, manpower, and education. In education and manpower, Brunei is also willing to help Indonesian migrant workers and their children get better education, Sudi Silalahi said.