M’sia-Brunei officer-level immigration meeting planned next month

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Numerous technical aspects on immigration issues between Brunei and Malaysia are expected to be scrutinised and finalised at an officer-level meeting planned for March.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was hoped that the discussion could ease the business of border crossing between Brunei and Sabah and Sarawak, especially with the impending completion of the Pan Borneo Highway.

He cited the 16 checkpoints travellers from Sabah to Sarawak had to go through for a return journey because the route was through Brunei.

A new approach with the assistance of Brunei would be needed to facilitate travel involving the two Malaysian states, he said.

“It is a continuation of the agreement and understanding between Malaysia and Brunei. The discussion will facilitate the standard operation procedures in the aspect of methods and technical issues and the laws, especially when the Pan Borneo Highway is fully completed,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said this at a media conference after a meeting with Brunei Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Setia Awang Abu Bakar Apong at a hotel here yesterday.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is here on a one- day visit, paid a courtesy call on the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman here.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Home Minister, said the March meeting would also touch on the transfer of convicts between Sabah and Sarawak as Brunei wanted clear standard operating procedures on this, taking into consideration the the legal and security aspects.

“The discussion will also address the issue of intelligence information sharing and methods to overcome cros s - border crimes and terrorists, especially terrorists involved in Katibah Nusantara on the run,” he said. — Bernama