MALAYSIA, BRUNEI TO SIMPLIFY IMMIGRATION PROCESS
PM, sultan want to reduce number of stamps to enter, exit nations
KRISTY INUS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN news@nst.com.my
MALAYSIA and Brunei want the immigration process between both nations to be simplified, with only one stamp each to enter and exit the countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah expressed his wish to see the process, which required seven stamps each way, to be reduced to only one for entry, and another for exit.
“We have discussed this for a long time and both parties agreed to settle this before the next Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC).
“We will propose a system that is easily implemented, but still has the required security features, to ease the movement of Malaysians to Brunei, and vice versa.”
Najib was speaking at a press conference with the sultan after the 21st ALC here yesterday.
He said Brunei had responded positively to Malaysia’s proposal for a new route connecting Bandar Seri Begawan to Limbang, Sarawak.
“This new route will reduce travel time, but we will also maintain the existing route to Miri.
“The Sultan of Brunei is also looking forward to the completion of the Pan-Borneo Highway.”
He said he and Sultan Hassanal spoke about continued cooperation in the defence sector.
“Brunei is an observer to the trilateral cooperation (for defence) between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
“I hope Brunei will consider becoming a full partner in this effort, which they say they will consider.”
He said this in reference to the launch of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol (TMP) and the Trilateral Air Patrol (TAP) in the Sulu Sea to combat piracy, terrorism and fighting militants’ presence in the region.
In a joint statement issued by the two countries earlier, both leaders expressed the importance of working closely to prevent and counter transnational crime.
These include terrorism, extremism, radicalism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, people smuggling and cybercrime.
Sultan Hassanal commended the establishment of the counter messaging communication centres and the King Salman Centre for International Peace in Malaysia in countering radicalisation, extremist propaganda and ideologies.
During the meet, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation was signed and two framework agreements for the union of oil fields were formalised between both sides.
In the joint statement, the Brunei National Unitisation Secretariat and Petronas have finalised the framework for unitisation arrangements for Kinabalu West NAG and Maharajalela North Fields, as well as the Gumusut/Kakap and Geronggong/Jagus-East fields.
Both leaders touched on discussions between Malaysia and Brunei to pave the way for an MoU on maritime cooperation.