AGP Executive Report

Royal Affairs: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal titles with immediate effect, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that tarnished the monarchy’s good name, though no specific incident was disclosed; she remains married to Prince Abdul Malik (fourth in line) and their four children’s titles were reported to be unaffected. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on empowering training through AI literacy and future-ready skills, bringing together local and overseas experts. Culture & Food Entrepreneurship: A Brunei-linked success story highlights Mariyaton Kaftiah’s torch ginger serunding business, built from small beginnings into overseas sales. Regional Lifestyle Watch: Korean food franchises keep expanding across Southeast Asia, with brands pushing into markets including Brunei. Health & Wellbeing: (Regional) Indonesia’s wildfire haze has forced school closures in parts of Borneo, underscoring how air quality can disrupt daily life.

Royal Affairs: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah of her royal titles with immediate effect, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that allegedly tarnished the monarchy’s good name—no specific incident was disclosed, and her four children’s titles reportedly remain unchanged. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education hosted an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready TVET skills, bringing together local and overseas experts and industry voices. Culture & Food: The 36th Food Expo opens today, spotlighting global flavours and wellness trends, with multiple themed fairs running concurrently in Hong Kong. Community & Leadership: ParagonCorp expanded its Ri’aya Young Adult Stewardship Program with the Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women, aiming to grow globally minded Muslim women leaders. Regional Lifestyle: Korean food franchises are pushing deeper into Southeast Asia, with new outlets reported in markets including Brunei.

Royal Family Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles with immediate effect, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that tarnished the monarchy’s good name, though no specific incident was disclosed; the move affects her status only, while her children’s titles reportedly remain unchanged. Culture & Community: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready skills, bringing together local and overseas education experts and industry voices. Food & Lifestyle: The HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Beauty & Wellness Expo and Home Delights Expo opened in Hong Kong with a “Live Well, Stay Well” theme, spotlighting global flavours and wellness trends. Regional Environment: Wildfire haze linked to El Niño has forced school closures in parts of Indonesia and worsened air quality across the region, including Malaysia’s Sarawak.

Royal Updates: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal title “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” with immediate effect, citing conduct deemed “unbecoming,” tarnishing the monarchy’s good name, and showing “lack of respect”—no specific incident was shared, and her four children’s titles are said to remain unchanged. Culture & Community: A Brunei entrepreneur, Mariyaton Kaftiah Yusof, turned torch ginger into serunding and other traditional snacks, growing from RM500 to about RM6,500 monthly sales and reaching overseas markets. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready skills. Food & Lifestyle: The HKTDC Food Expo PRO, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Home Delights Expo opened in Hong Kong under a “Live Well, Stay Well” theme, spotlighting global flavours and wellness trends. Regional Environment: Indonesia’s wildfire haze is forcing school closures in parts of Borneo, including Pontianak, with children learning from home while air quality stays poor.

Royal Updates: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her royal titles effective immediately, citing conduct deemed “unbecoming” and “lack of respect” that tarnished the monarchy’s good name, though no specific incident was disclosed; she was married to Prince Abdul Malik (fourth in line) in 2015 and their four children keep their titles. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) held an international webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready TVET skills, bringing together local and overseas education and industry voices. Community & Leadership: ParagonCorp expanded its partnership with the Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women to support globally minded Muslim women leaders through the Ri’aya Young Adult Stewardship Program. Culture & Lifestyle: Korean food brands are pushing deeper into Southeast Asia, with outlets and new launches reported across the region including Singapore and Brunei. Regional Environment: Haze from Indonesian wildfires linked to El Niño has led to school closures in parts of Borneo, underscoring the cross-border impact on daily life.

Royal Affairs: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of all royal titles with immediate effect, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that allegedly tarnished the monarchy’s reputation; the decree removes her title of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri, while her four children’s titles are reported to remain unchanged, and no specific misconduct details were released. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready skills, bringing together local and overseas education experts and industry voices. Regional Environment: Across the region, wildfire haze linked to El Niño has disrupted schooling in Indonesia, with dozens of schools closed in parts of Borneo as air quality worsened. Health & Safety: Brunei-linked public health attention continues as regional reports highlight the need for hygiene and timely vaccination to reduce respiratory illness risks.

Brunei Royal Updates: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, of her princess title and “Highness” styling with immediate effect, citing “unbecoming” conduct and “lack of respect” that tarnished the monarchy’s good name; the palace has not shared what she did, and Prince Abdul Malik and Raabi’atul have not announced any divorce, while their four children’s titles are reported to remain unchanged. Brunei Culture & Learning: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready skills, bringing together educators, industry and policymakers to discuss how training can adapt in the digital era. Regional Lifestyle Watch: Across the region, haze from Indonesian wildfires has disrupted schooling—Indonesia closed dozens of schools in Pontianak due to smoke, and Sarawak’s Serian saw very unhealthy air readings prompting temporary closures.

Royal Household Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has revoked daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah’s royal title “Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri” with immediate effect, citing conduct described as “unbecoming” and “lack of respect” toward the Sultan; the Office of the Grand Chamberlain says she is no longer considered part of the royal family, but it does not disclose what exactly happened, while Prince Abdul Malik and their four children keep their titles. Culture & Lifestyle: A look back at the couple’s 2015 10-day royal wedding highlights the scale of Brunei’s Malay royal traditions and the palace setting, as the latest title revocation brings the family back into global headlines. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) hosted an international TVET webinar on using AI literacy to build future-ready skills, bringing together local and overseas education and industry voices. Community & Youth Leadership: ParagonCorp expanded its women-focused youth leadership partnership with the Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women, aiming to develop globally minded Muslim women leaders. Food & Local Enterprise: Mariyaton Kaftiah’s torch ginger serunding journey shows how small-scale home production can grow into overseas markets, turning hardship into a Brunei-made snack success story.

Royal Family Update: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law, Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah (wife of Prince Abdul Malik, fourth in line), of her royal titles after conduct described as “unbecoming” and “lack of respect,” though the exact incident details weren’t shared; her four children’s titles reportedly remain unaffected. Local Culture & Entrepreneurship: Mariyaton Kaftiah Yusof turned torch ginger into serunding and other traditional snacks, starting with RM500 and now selling about RM6,500 monthly, with her products reaching overseas markets after years of trials and community feedback. Education & Skills: Brunei’s IBTE hosted an international webinar on using AI literacy to make TVET more future-ready, bringing together educators, industry and policymakers to discuss digital-era training needs. Community & Youth Leadership: ParagonCorp expanded its women-focused youth stewardship programme with the Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women, aiming to grow globally minded Muslim women leaders. Public Service Notice: The US State Department published a list of countries, including Brunei, whose embassies must be notified when their citizens are arrested or detained in the US.

Royal Court Update: Brunei’s Office of the Grand Chamberlain says Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped his daughter-in-law Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah (wife of Prince Abdul Malik) of her royal titles for “unbecoming” conduct, citing “lack of respect” and damage to the monarchy’s good name—while her four children keep their titles. Women & Youth Leadership: ParagonCorp expands support for Muslim women leaders via the Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women under its 2026 Ri’aya Young Adult Stewardship Program, aiming to build globally minded leadership for a tech-driven future. Culture & Local Entrepreneurship: FELCRA-backed entrepreneur Mariyaton Kaftiah turns torch ginger into serunding and other snacks, growing from RM500 start-up sales to about RM6,500 monthly and reaching overseas markets. Education & Skills for the Future: Brunei’s education ministry outlines strategies to keep higher education and TVET “future-ready,” including AI-related curriculum modules, project-based learning, and stronger data-driven graduate planning. Regional Lifestyle Impact: Haze and wildfire smoke across Borneo and beyond are disrupting schools in neighbouring areas, a reminder of how regional environmental issues can spill into daily life. International Travel & Safety: A US State Department list shows Brunei is among countries whose citizens must be notified when arrested or detained in the US.

Royal Court Update: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has stripped Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, wife of Prince Abdul Malik, of all royal titles for “unbecoming” conduct, saying her actions tarnished the monarchy and showed lack of respect; the exact reason wasn’t disclosed, and the children’s titles remain unaffected. Brunei Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education hosted an international AI-focused TVET webinar on building “future-ready” skills, while the education ministry says it’s adapting higher education and TVET with AI literacy, curriculum updates, and stronger industry-linked learning. Maritime Inclusion: Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week 2026 featured a panel where women in maritime pushed back on “headcount-only” measures, arguing for real inclusion and progress. Regional Health & Lifestyle: In Hong Kong, health authorities reported a severe paediatric influenza A case and urged hygiene and vaccination follow-through; in Sarawak, haze forced temporary school closures as API readings crossed unhealthy thresholds. Culture & Community: ASEAN cultural exchange continues with the opening of an ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila and an ASEAN Film Festival in Hong Kong featuring Brunei among participating countries. Cross-border Environment: Indonesia’s El Niño-linked wildfires are driving haze that’s also affecting Malaysia and Brunei’s region, with schools shut in affected areas.

Royal Updates: Pengiran Raabi’atul Adawiyyah has had her royal titles revoked by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, citing “unbecoming” conduct that allegedly tarnished the monarchy’s name; the decree took effect immediately, while her children’s titles reportedly remain unchanged. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Institute of Technical Education (IBTE) held an international AI-focused TVET webinar on “AI Literacy and Future-Ready Skills,” bringing together local and overseas experts to discuss how training should evolve. Maritime Inclusion: At Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week 2026, a Women in Maritime Spotlight panel pushed back on “headcount-only” progress, urging deeper inclusion in roles and opportunities across the sector. Culture & Pop Media: Chinese nostalgia is driving buzz for Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Soccer,” a gender-flipped take on “Shaolin Soccer,” raising the question of how far the hit can travel overseas. Regional Lifestyle Impact: Indonesia’s El Niño-fuelled wildfires are forcing school closures and worsening haze across parts of the region, including areas on Borneo shared with Brunei.

Women in Maritime Spotlight: Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week 2026 featured a panel where maritime women pushed back on “headcount-only” measures, arguing for real inclusion and career progression across ports and shipping. Education & Skills for the Future: Brunei’s education ministry says it’s reshaping higher education and TVET with AI training, curriculum updates, and more industry-linked learning so graduates match the job landscape. Royal & Social News: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah issued a royal decree removing royal titles from his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, citing conduct deemed unbecoming and damaging to the monarchy’s name. Regional Culture & Lifestyle: ASEAN cultural ties got a boost as the ASEAN Cultural Center opened in Manila, while the ASEAN Film Festival 2026 in Hong Kong announced a public, free-to-watch lineup celebrating regional stories. Health & Daily Life (Region): Indonesia’s El Niño-linked wildfires forced school closures and haze alerts across parts of Borneo, with air quality concerns spilling into Malaysia. Brunei’s ASEAN Moment: Hong Kong opened a Kuala Lumpur Economic and Trade Office, with coverage noting Brunei’s inclusion in its regional reach.

Transboundary Haze & School Closures: Indonesia’s El Niño-fuelled wildfires are keeping dozens of schools shut for a second day, with Pontianak (West Kalimantan, shared with Brunei and Malaysia) moving classes to home learning as smoke worsens air quality. Regional Health Reminder: Hong Kong’s health authorities urged parents not to delay childhood vaccinations, stressing schedules should follow the long-running programme based on scientific guidance. ASEAN Culture & Diplomacy: Malaysia marked ASEAN Day with events highlighting the bloc’s political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars, while Hong Kong opened a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur to deepen ASEAN ties. Brunei in the Spotlight: Brunei’s education ministry says it’s adapting higher education and TVET for a changing job landscape, including AI-focused teacher training. Royal & Social News: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah issued a royal decree removing titles from his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, citing conduct unbecoming of a royal spouse. Youth & Lifestyle: A youth group in Malaysia urged a ban on vape sales, warning of misuse and risks to students.

Haze & school life: Indonesia’s wildfire haze is forcing more school closures, with Pontianak children learning from home as smoke worsens across Borneo and beyond. ASEAN culture diplomacy: Malaysia marked ASEAN Day with a 59-years celebration in Kuala Lumpur, while Manila opened an ASEAN Cultural Center exhibition meant to share regional heritage. Brunei royal affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah issued a decree removing royal titles from his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, with details of the conduct still unclear. Brunei education for the future: Brunei’s education ministry is reshaping higher education and TVET for a changing job market, while teachers continue AI training through national programmes. Youth health & vaping debate: Malaysia’s World Youth Foundation urged a ban on vape sales, citing misuse and risks to students. Regional media & skills: Asean media leaders met in Manila to discuss how journalism can bridge policy and people, and Brunei’s DFCE 2026 highlighted building digital capability for Wawasan Brunei 2035. Tourism push: Brunei is gearing up for Visit Brunei Year 2027 with plans to attract higher-value travellers and longer stays.

Royal & Social Affairs: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has issued a royal decree removing royal titles from his daughter-in-law Raabi’atul Adawiyyah, citing conduct deemed unbecoming and tarnishing the monarchy’s good name, while her children’s titles reportedly remain unchanged. Education & Skills: Brunei’s education ministry is adapting higher education and TVET for a changing job landscape, with curriculum updates for new technologies, more project-based learning with industry, and data-driven checks using graduate and employer surveys. Digital Capability: Brunei’s DFCE 2026 spotlighted future-ready digital skills, with AITI-led discussions on building a digitally capable workforce to support Wawasan Brunei 2035 and Digital Brunei 2030. Teacher Development: Brunei continues empowering teachers through AI professional development, reporting thousands of teachers completing AI courses and earning in-depth literacy certification, plus master trainers to scale training. Tourism Lifestyle: Brunei is ramping up efforts to attract high-value tourists ahead of Visit Brunei Year 2027, pushing longer stays and higher spending through adventure, nature, arts and cultural heritage, community tourism, sports, and culinary experiences. Culture & Youth Exchange: Türkiye’s embassy in Brunei, with local partners, held an awards ceremony for young cultural ambassadors, including a Türkiye cultural essay competition and a digital poster exhibition inspired by Turkish heritage. Regional Culture: The ASEAN Cultural Center opened in Manila, and the ASEAN Film Festival 2026 is set for Hong Kong with free public screenings and a strong mix of ASEAN stories.