Ties with Brunei still strong
Leaders pleased with level of cooperation
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have expressed satisfaction at the continued collaboration between Petronas and PetroleumBrunei during the Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation framework meeting here.
Both leaders said they looked forward to working together to commercialise discoveries under the Commercial Arrangement Area and Production Sharing Agreements, it said in a joint statement after the consultation, which was described as “warm and constructive”.
The last meeting between the two leaders was when Dr Mahathir visited Brunei on Sept 2 last year.
The statement said both leaders also welcomed the positive progress made by the joint technical committee on the demarcation and survey of the land boundary between Malaysia and Brunei.
“Both sides have agreed not to undertake activities in areas where joint demarcation and survey has yet to be completed.
“They look forward to convening the Malaysia-Brunei Land Boundary Committee to discuss findings of the joint technical committee,” it said.
The statement said discussions on the provisions of the Exchange of Letters relating to maritime access were ongoing and encouraged officials to explore innovative ways to develop maritime cooperation.
They also welcomed the signing of the MoU relating to the transfer, escorting and movement of prisoners from areas between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei, and the movement of prisoners within Brunei via Sarawak, without compromising security and safety aspects.
“The leaders were also pleased with the close cooperation between Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Armed Forces, as well as commended the admirable efforts of their personnel in contributing towards the maintenance of international peace and stability, particularly under the ambit of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon and the International Monitoring Team in southern Philippines,” it said.
The statement added that both Sultan Hassanal and Dr Mahathir were satisfied at the continued progress in trade and investment cooperation, particularly with Sabah and Sarawak, and urged for more synergy in economic cooperation and promotion in the areas of transport and infocommunications, energy, tourism, agriculture, livestock
Both sides have agreed not to undertake activities in areas where joint demarcation and survey has yet to be completed. Meeting’s joint statement
and fisheries.
They also noted the BruneiMalaysia Frequent Traveller programme has eased travel between both countries and enhanced people-to-people connectivity.
The leaders agreed to hold the 23rd Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Brunei Darussalam in 2020.
Dr Mahathir also hosted a luncheon at Seri Perdana in honour of Sultan Hassanal’s official visit.
The premier’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu also attended the luncheon.
Earlier, Sultan Hassanal held talks with Dr Mahathir under the framework.