Brunei (Commonwealth Union)_ During the 24th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC) held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim expressed their contentment with the advancement in closer economic collaboration involving their country, Sabah, and Sarawak.
In a joint statement following the consultation, both leaders eagerly anticipated the upcoming inauguration of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Bandar Seri Begawan by the end of the year, an initiative set to reinforce tourism cooperation between the Sultanate and Sarawak. The leaders embraced Brunei Darussalam’s export endeavors in collaboration with Sabah and Sarawak, focusing on processed food and meat-based products, scheduled for this year. This collaboration stands to bolster food security and supply within the region.
The leaders further underscored the importance of fostering enhanced connectivity between Brunei and Sarawak. The proposal to incorporate the Sultanate within the Northern Coastal Highway was met with approval, a move poised to deliver socio-economic advantages to both Brunei and Malaysia, as highlighted in the joint statement. In terms of demarcation and survey of the land boundary between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, the leaders lauded the progress made by the Joint Technical Committee, which has completed a substantial 132.25 kilometers, equivalent to a quarter of the total land boundary distance. The project is expected to be completed by 2034.
In the realm of defense ties, the leaders expressed optimism about the robust bilateral cooperation between the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). They lauded the dedication of personnel from both forces in upholding international peace and stability, particularly through the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) signed on January 25 was also recognized as a positive step toward cooperation.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, drawing attention to the 2009 Exchange of Letters signed between His Majesty and the Malaysian prime minister, which continues to promote strategic collaboration between the two nations. Both leaders jointly expressed their dedication to fortifying bilateral relations and eagerly anticipated the upcoming 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024.
Image credit: 1 borneobulletin.com.bn, 2 suara.tv
