AGP Executive Report

Local Arts & Culture: Borneo Jazz Festival is back for its 20th edition on 4–5 December 2026 in Miri city centre, with Pullman Miri Waterfront as the official venue, expanding beyond concerts under the theme “Beyond Jazz.” Brunei Entertainment & Lifestyle: Seiko’s limited-edition Prospex “Blue Tears” diver (HBB006K1) is now on sale in Singapore and is also sold in Brunei, with just 1,200 pieces made for five markets. Music Streaming (Brunei): Apple Music has officially launched in Brunei (along with Albania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan), bringing the service to 172 countries—subscribers can now use local Apple accounts to stream the full catalogue. Sports & Royal Spotlight: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived in Malaysia for the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP visit linked to the Sepang circuit. Tech & Connectivity: A study says Pinoy 5G users in the Philippines strongly want guaranteed connectivity during critical moments, with many willing to pay more—an insight that could shape regional mobile services. Regional Travel & Tourism: Brunei is listed among invited countries for India’s 14th International Tourism Mart in Tawang (29–31 Oct).

F1 & Royal Visit: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived in Malaysia for a special visit tied to the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP at Sepang, inspecting a guard of honour as Malaysia hosts the race this weekend. Brunei on the Road: Grand Auto officially launched the all-new Mazda CX-5 in Brunei, highlighting a roomier cabin, updated tech (wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, Bose audio), and a smoother 2.5L drive for everyday family journeys. Music Streaming: Apple Music has finally expanded to Brunei (along with Albania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan), bringing official access via local Apple accounts after an 11-year wait—another big Services push for the region. Regional Culture: Brunei is among countries backing the UNESCO bid for the Zapin dance, with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore joining the multinational nomination for 2027. Tourism & Connectivity: Shenzhen Airlines launched nonstop service between Shenzhen and Bandar Seri Begawan, as Brunei reports rising Chinese arrivals and hopes for more short-break travel. Borneo Jazz Festival: Borneo Jazz Festival returns for its 20th edition on 4–5 Dec in Miri city centre, with tickets set to go on sale midnight 3 Oct.

Brunei Tech & Entertainment: Apple Music has finally gone live in Brunei (alongside Albania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan), letting subscribers use local Apple accounts and stream the full catalogue after a long wait—while Brunei still shows Apple TV as unavailable. Local Tourism & Culture: Brunei’s tourism push gets a boost as Shenzhen Airlines launches nonstop flights to Bandar Seri Begawan, with visitor arrivals from China rising year-on-year and direct access expected to bring more short-break travellers. Regional Arts & Events: Borneo Jazz Festival returns for its 20th edition on 4–5 December in Miri, expanding beyond concerts with stronger participation from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia. Brunei in the Spotlight: The Brunei crown prince visits Singapore’s SAFTI City during the Singapore–Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme, highlighting 50 years of defence ties. Music & Lifestyle Watch: Seiko’s limited-edition “Blue Tears” Prospex diver is now on sale in select Asian markets including Brunei.

Apple Music expansion: Apple Music has officially launched in Brunei (plus Albania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan), ending an 11-year wait for Pakistan and bringing the service to 172 countries; Brunei users can access via local Apple accounts, with subscriptions starting at Rs379 in Pakistan and a free trial for new users. Music & culture in Brunei’s region: Borneo Jazz Festival returns for its 20th edition on 4–5 December 2026 in Miri city centre, with tickets going on sale 3 October via Jazzborneo.com. Brunei in the spotlight: A report highlights Bruneians reportedly going to Australia for illegal farm work, pointing to job pressures and visa access. Tech & media: Apple Music’s Android app gets a “Liquid Glass” redesign in beta alongside the country rollouts. Regional ties: Shenzhen Airlines starts Shenzhen–Bandar Seri Begawan flights, with Brunei citing rising China arrivals.

Southeast Asian Fantasy Gaming: Indonesian studio Agate is turning the spotlight on the region with Blades of Mirage, building a fantasy world inspired by temples, waterways, folklore and even Brunei among other neighbours. Borneo Jazz Festival: The 20th Borneo Jazz Festival returns 4–5 December 2026 in Miri city centre at Pullman Miri Waterfront, with tickets going on sale midnight 3 October via Jazzborneo.com. Brunei–Australia Work Woes: A report highlights Bruneians reportedly heading to Australia for illegal farm work, raising questions about jobs, foreign labour perceptions and visa loopholes. Apple Music Lands in Brunei: Apple Music officially launches in Albania, Brunei, Burkina Faso and Pakistan, bringing the service to 172 countries—Brunei users get music streaming even as Apple TV remains unavailable. Seiko “Blue Tears” Watch: Seiko’s limited-edition Prospex diver inspired by the ocean glow is now on sale, including a Brunei-linked distribution via Thong Sia Group. Asian Games 2026 (Regional Interest): India’s medal surge continues on Day 14, while Day 13/12 updates keep spotlighting standout performances across sports. Cultural Heritage Push: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore back the Zapin dance for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition in 2027. Brunei Travel Boost: Shenzhen Airlines launches nonstop Shenzhen–Bandar Seri Begawan service, with Brunei citing rising Chinese arrivals and easier access for short breaks. Royal Brunei Spotlight: Royal Brunei Airlines is again named Asia’s Leading Cabin Crew at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean 2026.

Apple Music expansion: Apple quietly launched Apple Music in Albania, Brunei, Burkina Faso and Pakistan, bringing the service to 172 countries—Pakistan’s long wait ends after 11 years, while Brunei gets music streaming even as Apple TV remains unavailable there. Tech & entertainment in Brunei: The same rollout also lines up with an Apple Music Android redesign in beta (“Liquid Glass”), so more listeners may be tuning in across the region. Brunei tourism boost: Shenzhen Airlines started a nonstop Shenzhen–Bandar Seri Begawan route, with Brunei citing rising China arrivals (about 39,000 by air in 2024 to 45,858 in 2025) and visa-free short stays as key draws. Local style for collectors: Seiko’s limited-edition Prospex “Blue Tears” diver (1,200 pieces) is now on sale in select markets including Brunei, with the price finally revealed for Singapore’s boutique listing. Cultural spotlight: Indonesia, together with Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore, has proposed the Zapin dance for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2027. Sports on the radar: Brunei’s name appears in the wider region’s Asian Games coverage, where China continues to dominate the medal table.

Music & Streaming: Apple Music finally launches in Brunei (plus Albania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan), bringing the service to 172 countries—while the Android app rolls out a “Liquid Glass” redesign in beta. Travel & Tourism: Brunei’s air arrivals from China climbed to 45,858 in 2025 (+17.6%), as Shenzhen Airlines begins nonstop flights to Bandar Seri Begawan (4x weekly). Culture: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore jointly propose the Zapin dance for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List in 2027. Sports (Regional): Brunei is listed among teams in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Division 2 group stage, with Group A featuring Hong Kong, Laos and Brunei. Fashion & Lifestyle: Seiko’s limited-edition Prospex “Blue Tears” diver is now on sale in select Asian markets, including Brunei (Thong Sia Group exclusive, 1,200 pieces). Business/Entertainment Industry: DHL Express names Julian Neo as Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau, with prior leadership roles including DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei.

Brunei-Tourism & Connectivity: Shenzhen Airlines launched nonstop flights between Shenzhen and Bandar Seri Begawan, with Brunei reporting rising China air arrivals (45,858 in 2025; 28,657 as of Aug 2026), plus easier short-break travel via visa-free entry for eligible Chinese passport holders. Finance Policy: Brunei Central Bank rolled out the Brunei Financial Sector Blueprint 2026–2035, aiming for a resilient, inclusive and innovative financial sector over the next decade. Regional Defence & Youth Links: Brunei’s crown prince visited Singapore’s SAFTI City during the 12th Singapore–Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme, as both sides mark 50 years of defence ties. Maritime Cooperation: Singapore’s MPA and Brunei’s MPABD signed an agreement to boost maritime safety, port state control, incident investigation, training and digitalisation. Aviation Recognition: Royal Brunei Airlines won “Asia’s Leading Cabin Crew 2026” for the fifth time since 2020. Sports (Brunei in the spotlight): Brunei is listed among the few Asian Games nations still at just one bronze medal, as China continues to dominate the medal table. Culture & Community: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival 2026 drew over 30,000 visitors across arts, ethnic fashion showcases and performances.

Brunei-Singapore Ties: Brunei’s Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah visited Singapore’s SAFTI City for a first-hand look at urban combat training, as both countries mark 50 years of defence links and co-chair the 12th Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders’ Programme. Maritime Cooperation: Singapore’s MPA and Brunei’s MPABD signed an agreement to boost maritime safety, port state control, incident investigation, training, and digitalisation. Airline Recognition: Royal Brunei Airlines won “Asia’s Leading Cabin Crew” again at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean 2026—its fifth win since 2020. Fashion & Royals: Princess Anisha of Brunei and her family appeared in Princess Rajwa of Jordan’s latest posts, with Rajwa styling Y2K flared jeans for a casual royal moment. Sports & Entertainment: Kard returned to Singapore after seven years, delivering a high-energy set for fans; meanwhile, Brunei’s presence at the Asian Games continues to be noted as the medal table shows Brunei still at one bronze. Tech & Security (Regional): TrendAI expanded support for Claude’s Compliance API, giving security teams visibility into AI agent prompts, responses, and tool calls.

Brunei Travel & Mobility: Brunei’s passport sits at No. 18 in the 2026 Passport Index, with a mobility score of 154, while Singapore and Malaysia share second place (175) and the UAE tops the list (182). Regional Cooperation: Singapore and Brunei signed an agreement to boost maritime and port cooperation, covering digitalisation, maritime safety, port state control inspections, incident investigations and training. Airline Spotlight: Royal Brunei Airlines was named Asia’s Leading Cabin Crew 2026 for the fifth time since 2020 at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala in the Maldives. Entertainment & Culture: Brunei-China ties got a boost with cultural exchange events marking 35 years of diplomacy, including disability arts performances and a Brunei-China food festival. Sports & Community: The Borneo Arts Festival 2026 in Labuan drew over 30,000 visitors across three days, with dance, fashion showcases, workshops and stage performances. Local Auto News: MG HS PHEV made its Brunei debut at The Borneo Kustom Show, bringing a plug-in hybrid SUV with up to 120km electric range (WLTP).

Royal Brunei Airlines: RB has won “Asia’s Leading Cabin Crew 2026” for the fifth time since 2020 at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala in the Maldives, with the airline citing its service excellence and Brunei hospitality. Brunei-China Culture: China and Brunei marked 35 years of ties with Jerudong International School performances featuring artists with disabilities and a Brunei-China Food Festival, plus a framework agreement to deepen long-term cultural exchanges. Local Entertainment & Film: Senator Robin Padilla says preparations are moving ahead for a big-screen story about late basketball player Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia, despite alleged financial pressure and politicisation in the entertainment industry. Sports & Spotlight: The Asian Games medal race continues to be dominated by China, while Brunei is noted among countries with just a bronze so far. Lifestyle Watch: Seiko unveiled a limited-edition Prospex diver inspired by the “Blue Tears” ocean glow, launching in select Asian markets. Tech/Transport in Brunei: MG HS PHEV has made its Brunei debut at The Borneo Kustom Show, bringing a plug-in hybrid SUV with up to 120km electric range.

Royal & Fashion: Princess Rajwa of Jordan posted a surprise reunion photo with Prince Abdul Mateen and Princess Anisha of Brunei, styling a Y2K-cool look with knitted khaki and flared dark denim. K-pop Live: Kard returned to Singapore after seven years for their “Now Here” world tour stop, running through hits from nearly a decade with high-energy crowd moments. Sports Drama: Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal’s Asian Games nightmare ended early after a chaotic travel and accommodation scramble, then a failed weight cut collapse. Asian Games Update: China kept dominating the medal table mid-way, while Brunei sat among the countries with just a bronze; organisers also faced accommodation and transport headaches. Brunei in Global Culture: China and Brunei marked 35 years of ties with disability arts performances and a Brunei-China food festival, plus a framework for deeper long-term cultural cooperation. Local Arts Spotlight: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival 2026 drew over 30,000 visitors across dance, fashion, music and creative workshops. Brunei Sports/Entertainment Tie-in: Senator Robin Padilla said preparations are moving ahead for a film on late basketball player Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia, despite alleged financial pressure and politicisation in the entertainment industry. Automotive (Brunei): MG HS PHEV made its Brunei debut at the Borneo Kustom Show, bringing a plug-in hybrid SUV option with up to 120km electric range.

Asian Games Spotlight: China’s medal dominance keeps growing in Nagoya, with China leading the table mid-way (107 golds; 176 total) while Brunei sits at the bottom with just a bronze. Football & Regional Rivalries: Cambodia opened FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 2 with a 1-0 win over Myanmar, while the Philippines fell 1-0 to Vietnam in the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup opener. Brunei in the Arts Scene: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival 2026 drew over 30,000 visitors across three days, with dance, fashion and music highlights. Brunei–China Culture: China and Brunei marked 35 years of diplomatic ties with “My Dream” performances and a Brunei China Food Festival, plus a framework for deeper long-term cooperation. Local Entertainment Watch: Senator Robin Padilla says the film about late basketball player Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia is pushing ahead despite financial pressure. Brunei Sports Travel: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair 2026 wrapped up with 16% booking growth and 15% more ticketing transactions.

Borneo Arts Festival: Labuan’s 13th Borneo Arts Festival (BAF) 2026 drew over 30,000 visitors across three days, with deputy minister Datuk Lo Su Fui highlighting strong regional appeal and international-standard performances, including ethnic fashion showcases and Sounds of Borneo. Film & Sports Storytelling: Senator Robin Padilla says preparations are moving ahead for a big-screen film on late basketball star Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia, despite alleged financial pressure and politicisation in the entertainment industry. Brunei–China Culture: China and Brunei marked 35 years of diplomatic ties with “My Dream” performances featuring artists with disabilities, plus a Brunei China Food Festival and a framework agreement to deepen long-term cultural exchange. Local Travel & Entertainment Events: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair 2026 wrapped up with grand prize draws, reporting bookings up 16% and ticketing transactions up 15% year-on-year. Regional Sports Buzz: The Asian Games medal race continues to be dominated by China, while Brunei sits at the bottom with just one bronze.

Brunei Auto & Lifestyle: Premier Motor Co launched the new MG HS Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at The Borneo Kustom Show in Bridex, touting a 24.7kWh battery, up to 120km electric range (WLTP), and low fuel use when the petrol engine kicks in. Cultural Diplomacy: China and Brunei marked 35 years of ties with “My Dream” performances featuring artists with disabilities and a Brunei China Food Festival, plus a framework agreement for deeper long-term cultural cooperation. Arts & Heritage Spotlight: Borneo Arts Festival 2026 in Labuan is positioning the territory as a regional arts, culture and heritage hub, with stage shows, fashion/runway presentations, workshops, competitions and a street food bazaar. UNESCO Dance Push: Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia are jointly bidding to get zapin inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with a March 2027 submission target. Travel & Community: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair 2026 wrapped up with grand prizes and reported booking growth of 16% and ticketing transactions up 15% year-on-year. Sports (Regional): Brunei’s presence at the Asian Games continues to be noted, with the medal table still listing Brunei among countries with a single bronze.

Brunei–China Culture Boost: China and Brunei marked 35 years of diplomatic ties with “My Dream” performances at Jerudong International School and a Brunei China Food Festival, plus a framework agreement to deepen long-term cultural cooperation. Regional Arts & Tourism: Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival 2026 ran Sept 25–27, spotlighting dance competitions, fashion showcases, workshops, handicrafts and street food to position the island as a Borneo arts hub. Travel Fair Win: Sabre Brunei Travel Fair 2026 wrapped up with grand prize draws, reporting 16% growth in bookings and 15% more ticketing transactions versus last year. UNGA Diplomacy (Brunei Link): Brunei’s Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen met Vietnam’s Le Hoai Trung on UNGA sidelines, with both sides pointing to trade, oil & gas, tourism, people-to-people ties and halal cooperation. Maritime Security in Brunei: ReCAAP ISC and the Royal Brunei Police held a four-day cluster meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan on port and maritime security, including AI use for counter-piracy and cross-border operations. Sports on TV (Brunei viewers): Catch FIFA ASEAN Cup Laos vs Brunei (3pm) and Asian Games coverage across Sony Sports channels.