If His Majesty' the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's late father Al-Marhum Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan and the current Singapore Prime Minister's father Mr Lee Kuan Yew had set the foundation for a strong relationship between the two countries, His Majesty and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have ensured that the relationship would remain robust with cooperation in many sectors.

To signify this special relationship, the Singapore Prime Minister brought with him a pesambah for His Majesty that was sourced from the Brunei-Muara District to show the unique Brunei-Singapore link.

The tongkat was specially commissioned to symbolise the close relationship between Singapore and Brunei.

The handle of the tongkat is in the shape of a Merlion, and there are engravings of Singapore's National Flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, on the tongkat.

The wood used for the tongkat is sandalwood (or cendana) specially sourced from the Brunei-Muara District. - Borneo Bulletin (30 October 2012)