AGP Executive Report

FIFA ASEAN Cup Security: Indonesia has deployed 5,641 police personnel for “Operation Garuda Bakti 2026” across Jakarta and Bandung from Sept 21 to Oct 6, covering stadiums, transport routes, supporter areas, traffic control, and digital monitoring, with units ready for bomb and drone threats. Haze and Wildfires: Indonesia’s forest fires continue to drive toxic haze across the region, with Malaysia sending aircraft, helicopters and firefighters to help contain blazes after talks with Jakarta. ASEAN Trade Move: ASEAN members can now voluntarily apply the upgraded ATIGA Second Protocol provisionally among states ready for it, ahead of its June 2027 entry. Brunei-Linked Sports: In the Asian Games wushu, Brunei’s Basma Lachkar tied for bronze in women’s taijiquan-taijijian, while Singapore’s Zeanne Law also took joint bronze. Regional Football: KL City and DPMM FC played out a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup quarterfinal first leg, setting up a decisive second leg in October. Local Community Note: Malaysia’s PM Anwar and Sabah’s leaders offered condolences following the death of former Bongawan ADUN Karim Bujang.

Football (Brunei): DPMM FC and KL City played out a 3-3 thriller in the FA Cup quarterfinal first leg at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, with both sides set to meet again in the return leg on Oct 11 in Kuala Lumpur. Sports (Asian Games wushu): China’s Tong Xin defended her women’s taijiquan-taijijian all-around title, while Brunei’s Basma Lachkar and Singapore’s Zeanne Law shared joint bronze at 19.443 points; Filipina Agatha Wong finished 10th overall. Local condolences (Brunei-linked Sabah): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah leaders including Tun Musa Aman and Hajiji Noor extended condolences over the death of former Bongawan ADUN Datuk Karim Bujang, who served five terms from 1990 to 2013. ASEAN trade: ASEAN members can now voluntarily and reciprocally apply the upgraded Second Protocol to Amend ATIGA ahead of its June 2027 entry into force, aiming to boost early trade among ready states. Regional haze help: Malaysia will send aircraft, helicopters and firefighters to support Indonesia’s wildfire response across Borneo and Sumatra, as haze continues to affect neighbours including Brunei.

ASEAN Trade Update: ASEAN signatories including Brunei and the Philippines can now voluntarily apply the upgraded Second Protocol to Amend ATIGA ahead of its June 2027 entry, on a reciprocal basis among states that notify ASEAN—aimed at speeding up earlier trade benefits. Maritime Security Drill: U.S. naval forces joined an ADMM-Plus maritime security exercise with Brunei and others, focusing on cooperation, maritime awareness, and disaster resilience. South China Sea Tensions: A collision near Sabina Shoal sparked sharply conflicting claims, with China accusing the Philippines of deliberate ramming and Manila blaming China’s coast guard. Regional Haze Response: Indonesia says it remains compliant with ASEAN forest-fire protocols as haze affects neighbours including Brunei, while Malaysia prepares firefighting support for blazes in Indonesia. Wushu Spotlight: Brunei’s Basma Lachkar won joint bronze at the Asian Games in women’s taijiquan-taijijian, tying scores with Singapore’s Zeanne Law. Tourism Tech for Brunei: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd received a Brunei Technology Excellence Award for Nakhoda, an AI-powered digital tourism platform supporting Visit Brunei Year 2027.

Brunei-China ties: A cultural performance by the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, with disabled artists from Brunei, marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in Bandar Seri Begawan, featuring sign language poetry, dance, singing and music. Regional sport spotlight: Brunei is listed in Group R for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup Festival in Baku, with Junior Jaguars set to face Iran, Mauritius, Bosnia, Brunei and Vietnam in an eight-a-side format. Cross-border haze response: Malaysia says Indonesia has approved help to fight wildfires, sending a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters and 52 firefighters, as leaders also discuss more organised prevention to curb cross-border smoke. South China Sea tensions: China and the Philippines trade accusations after a collision near Sabina Shoal/Xianbin Jiao, with both sides blaming the other for deliberate ramming. Tourism tech win: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd received a Brunei Technology Excellence Award for its AI tourism platform “Nakhoda,” built with Brunei’s Tourism Development Department for Visit Brunei Year 2027. Youth football update: Indonesia’s Jay Idzes will miss the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a thigh injury, sidelined for six to eight weeks.

South China Sea Tensions: The Philippine Coast Guard says a Chinese vessel deliberately rammed its fisheries ship near Sabina Shoal, while China counters that the Philippine side provoked the incident—both sides blame each other as the standoff continues. AI Rivalry in ASEAN: A Jakarta panel warns Southeast Asia must carefully manage AI rollouts as US and China-backed initiatives compete for influence, chips access and regional capacity. Trade & Connectivity Push: Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte urged investors to turn Mindanao–Borneo links into real business, saying infrastructure only matters when traders and communities can use it. CAEXPO Showcase: Vietnam’s An Giang and Brunei’s Bandar Seri Begawan are among destinations picked for the “Charming Cities” area at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo, highlighting products, investment and tourism. Wildlife Trafficking Alert: Five baby orangutans found in India have raised alarms over a growing exotic pet trade, with Indonesia seeking their return. Brunei Tourism Tech: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won an AI–Tourism award for Nakhoda, a digital trip-planning platform supporting Visit Brunei Year 2027. Haze Compliance Update: Indonesia says it remains fully compliant with ASEAN haze protocols, despite smoke affecting Brunei and neighbours. Sports Note: Indonesia’s Jay Idzes will miss the FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a thigh injury.

BIMP-EAGA Trade Push: Vice President 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. Wildlife Trafficking Exposed: Five baby orangutans found in India’s Odisha have sparked calls for tougher action after experts linked the case to a growing, multi-million-dollar exotic pet trade; Indonesia has requested their return. Regional Expo Spotlight: Brunei’s Bandar Seri Begawan was listed among destinations for CAEXPO’s “Charming Cities” showcase, alongside other ASEAN cities and provinces. South China Sea Tensions: China and the Philippines traded accusations after a collision near Sabina Shoal, with both sides claiming the other escalated at sea. ASEAN Haze Update: Indonesia said it remains fully compliant with ASEAN forest-fire protocols and reported no formal protest notes, as haze continues to affect parts of the region including Brunei. Brunei Tech & Inclusion: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won an AI tourism award for Nakhoda, while International School Brunei opened a new Centre for Inclusive Learning in Bandar. Cyber Resilience: Brunei Cyber Security Conference (CySec 2026) launched to strengthen protection for critical infrastructure. Sports Note: Indonesia’s Jay Idzes will miss the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a thigh injury.

Brunei Tourism & Tech: Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd won the Brunei Technology Excellence Award for AI–Tourism for “Nakhoda”, a digital platform built with the Tourism Development Department to help visitors plan personalised trips and let local operators book online while keeping sensitive data in Brunei. Cybersecurity & Inclusion: Brunei Cyber Security Conference (CySec 2026) was launched to strengthen resilience of critical infrastructure under Brunei’s Cyber Security Act framework, while International School Brunei officially opened its Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) Bandar to support children with diverse learning needs. Regional Environment: Indonesia says it remains fully compliant with ASEAN haze protocols as wildfires continue to push hazardous smoke across parts of Southeast Asia, including Brunei and Malaysia. Trade & Energy: NLNG urged the gas industry to treat methane reduction as a business priority, arguing it can cut emissions while improving plant efficiency and revenue. Culture & Community: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival 2026 is set to draw over 30,000 visitors, with Brunei and Indonesia expected among the crowd. Sports & Travel: Ticketing details are out for the Yemen vs Qatar Gulf Cup clash, with official sales via WeBook. Creative Fest 2027: Kreative Fest 2027 will bring Brunei’s creative community together, with a Kreative Fest Tour starting in November.

Oil & Gas Revenue Strategy: Nigeria LNG says methane reduction should be treated as a business priority, arguing each tonne of methane lost means lost gas and lost revenue, and that investments can pay back while cutting emissions and boosting plant efficiency. Youth Corruption Probe: A Philippine report says corruption can start in barangay youth councils, with “kontratista” middlemen allegedly overpricing purchases and sharing kickbacks with officials. Brunei Culture & Tourism: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival 2026 is expected to draw over 30,000 visitors from Sept 25–27, with dance, costume and arts competitions plus workshops and markets. Regional Security Diplomacy: Malaysia’s Armed Forces chief highlights defence diplomacy and non-alignment, citing engagement with neighbours including Brunei. Cyber Resilience in Brunei: Brunei Cyber Security Conference (CySec 2026) was launched to strengthen protection for critical infrastructure, building on Brunei’s cyber laws and strategy. Inclusive Education in Brunei: International School Brunei opens a new Centre for Inclusive Learning in Bandar to support children with diverse learning needs. ASEAN Haze Crisis: Indonesia’s wildfire smoke continues to push hazardous air quality across parts of Borneo and neighbours, with Indonesia saying it has not received protest notes while firefighting and enforcement efforts continue. ASEAN-China Trade Boost: The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo opens in Nanning, featuring both familiar ASEAN staples and higher-value tech products, including Brunei AI firms. Creative Community Push: Brunei’s Kreative Fest 2027 is set to create a new platform for creatives, with a Kreative Fest Tour planned to start in November.

Brunei Creative Scene: Kreative Fest 2027 is set to bring Brunei’s artists and creators together, with a Kreative Fest Tour starting in November to reach more communities and audiences. Cybersecurity: CySec 2026 has launched under “Resilient by Design,” pushing stronger protection for Brunei’s critical infrastructure as government and industry align on cyber resilience. Inclusive Education: International School Brunei opened its Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) Bandar in Kg Sungai Hanching, expanding specialist support for children with diverse learning needs. Regional Environment & Haze: Indonesia’s wildfire haze continues to disrupt daily life across Borneo and beyond, with hazardous air readings and school disruptions linked to cross-border smoke. ASEAN–China Connectivity: The Pinglu Canal’s opening is framed as a major shift in Asean–China economic links, shortening routes between southwestern China and Southeast Asia. Arts & Tourism (Labuan): Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival (BAF) 2026 expects over 30,000 visitors from Sept 25–27, boosting local tourism and the island’s creative economy. Defence Diplomacy (Malaysia): Malaysia says it will keep prioritising defence diplomacy and ASEAN centrality, including engagement with partners such as Brunei.

Regional Politics: The first regular parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) finally took place after years of postponements, following leadership changes and raising concerns over lingering local armed tensions. Film & Culture: Malaysia’s horror film “Khadam” is trending in Hong Kong over its Chinese title “Lau Ga Ling,” sparking buzz and jokes after it sounds like actress Carina Lau’s Cantonese name. Environment & Health: Indonesia’s wildfire haze is again affecting parts of Borneo and nearby areas, with hazardous air readings reported in Malaysian states before winds brought some relief. Digital Finance: Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd (DST) won “Best Fintech Company Brunei Darussalam 2026,” highlighting its MyDST super app and expanded digital payments. Sports (ASEAN): FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 details keep rolling out, with IMG set to lead commercial rights sales and Indonesia staging fan events ahead of the Sept 25–Oct 5 tournament. Church & Society: A regional Creation-care campaign urged Catholics to protect both the environment and vulnerable people as one moral responsibility. Business/Travel: A quick guide to Thailand’s new entry rules from Sept 15 shows shorter visa-free stays and tighter limits for land crossings.

Brunei in the spotlight (film): Malaysian horror “Khadam” is trending in Hong Kong ahead of its Oct 8 release, with online chatter sparked by its Cantonese title sounding like Hong Kong actress Carina Lau’s name; the movie has already screened in Malaysia and Brunei since June 11 and is now expanding across the region. Brunei heritage & education: Universiti Brunei Darussalam is hosting a heritage education exhibition on Sept 15–16, encouraging teachers to turn cultural heritage into meaningful learning and strengthening students’ sense of Brunei identity. Travel & entry rules: Thailand has tightened visa-free travel from Sept 15, cutting many nationalities’ stay from 60 to 30 days and limiting land-border entries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are exempt from the land-crossing cap). Regional mobility (passports): The Philippines ranks 43rd in welcoming-country measures and its passport sits at 117th globally, while Kuwait’s passport is 86th worldwide and Brunei is listed at 39th. ASEAN cooperation (finance): ASEAN central banks met in Vietnam to push financial and banking integration, with Brunei included among BCLMV members. Sports (ASEAN Cup): Indonesia is ramping up for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup (Sept 25–Oct 5), including fan zones and warm welcomes for visiting supporters.

Brunei Heritage Spotlight: Universiti Brunei Darussalam is hosting a heritage education exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday, aiming to turn cultural knowledge into classroom learning and strengthen students’ sense of Brunei identity. Gold Watch: Malaysia’s Gold Association says gold is likely to stay range-bound at US$4,000–US$5,000 per troy ounce over the next 1–2 years, with prices around US$4,350 and interest-rate moves as the key driver. ASEAN Finance Moves: ASEAN central banks met in Vietnam to push financial and banking integration, with the ASEAN Senior-Level Committee on Financial Integration continuing to coordinate policy dialogue and cooperation. Brunei Tech Security: Malaysia leads ASEAN for post-quantum cryptography migration readiness (Tier 1), while Brunei is listed in Tier 2 in the ASEAN-10 assessment. Travel Rules Update: Thailand’s entry rules tighten from today, cutting visa-free stays for many nationalities from 60 to 30 days and limiting land-border crossings—though Brunei nationals are exempt from the land limit. FIFA ASEAN Cup Build-Up: Indonesia is ramping up for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup (Sept 25–Oct 5), with IMG set to handle commercial rights and broadcast production across Jakarta, Bandung and Hong Kong. Haze Health Reminder: Southeast Asia’s haze episode continues to disrupt air quality, with Singapore and Malaysia reporting unhealthy readings and schools affected during peak periods.

Brunei in Regional Mobility & Security: Brunei is listed among the world’s passport rankings, while a separate ASEAN-10 assessment places Brunei in Tier 2 for post-quantum cryptography migration readiness, signalling ongoing work to keep government data and critical services resilient. Haze & Energy Security Watch: Southeast Asia’s haze episode continues to disrupt health and daily life, with regional fire smoke linked to school closures and hazardous air readings; meanwhile, energy security concerns are rising as supply chokepoints and refinery resilience remain key risks for ASEAN. FIFA ASEAN Cup Build-Up: Indonesia is ramping up the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup with fan zones, warm welcome messages for visiting supporters, and commercial rights led by IMG, with matches across Indonesia and Hong Kong from Sept 24 to Oct 5. Travel & Entry Rules: Thailand’s revised visa-free rules start Sept 15, cutting automatic stays from 60 to 30 days for many nationalities, with tighter land-border limits. Local Consumer & Sports Interest: Brunei’s Sabre Brunei Travel Fair returns with travel deals and rewards, while Brunei’s Faiq Bolkiah remains in the spotlight as he looks for a new club after release.

Brunei & ASEAN Football: FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is set to kick off Sept 24-Oct 5 with 14 teams, including Brunei in Division 2 (Hong Kong hosts; Indonesia’s Jakarta and Bandung host Division 1). PSSI chief Erick Thohir is urging fans to warmly receive visiting supporters, with fan zones and culture-focused events planned. Health & Policy: The Philippines says its excise tax on carbonated drinks is the lowest in SEA, arguing the rate has been eroded by inflation due to no indexation—while lawmakers weigh whether sugary drink tax hikes should be science-based. Public Health Watch: A new haze episode is again affecting parts of Southeast Asia, with Singapore and Malaysia reporting unhealthy air readings linked to fires in southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. Travel & Local Deals: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair (21st edition) runs Sept 12-13 at BRIDEX, with SCA promoting Cuti-Cuti Malaysia spend-and-win rewards for Baiduri cardholders. Regional Tech & Values: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim urged the Muslim world to embrace AI while safeguarding moral values and Islamic heritage.

ASEAN Football: FIFA confirmed the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 runs Sept 24–Oct 5 across Indonesia (Bandung, Jakarta) and Hong Kong, with 14 teams split into Division 1 (incl. Brunei in Division 2) and Division 2 (Hong Kong hosts; Brunei among participants). Local Sports Spotlight: PSSI chief Erick Thohir urged Indonesians to warmly welcome visiting fans ahead of the tournament, stressing safe, responsible support. Brunei Travel & Deals: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair (21st edition) is underway at BRIDEX (Sept 12–13), with SCA promoting Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Spend & Win rewards for Baiduri cardholders. Health & Policy Watch: A report says the Philippines has the lowest excise tax on carbonated drinks in SEA, with lawmakers told the rate has been eroded by inflation. Regional Haze: Another haze episode is reported across parts of Southeast Asia, with smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan affecting air quality and prompting school closures in Malaysia during earlier spikes. Tech & Values: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim urged the Muslim world to embrace AI while safeguarding faith, moral values and Islamic heritage.

FIFA ASEAN Cup Build-Up: Indonesia’s PSSI chief Erick Thohir urged fans to warmly welcome supporters of guest teams as the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 kicks off Sept 25–Oct 5, with Jakarta and Bandung hosting Division 1 matches and Hong Kong running Division 2; Local Sports Spotlight: Brunei is set to feature in Division 2 alongside Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste, giving Brunei fans a regional tournament to watch closely; Brunei Travel Deals: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair (21st edition) runs Sept 12–13 at BRIDEX, with SCA promoting Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Spend & Win rewards for Baiduri cardholders; Regional Haze Watch: Another haze episode is hitting parts of Southeast Asia, with Singapore and Malaysia reporting unhealthy air readings tied to fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan; Energy Security Talk: ASEAN leaders and industry voices say energy security needs resilience across the whole supply chain, not just more refineries or stockpiles.