Brunei (Commonwealth Union)_ The Sultan of Brunei, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, arrived in Malaysia for a four-day state visit, marking a significant moment in diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries. His Majesty touched down at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Air Base in Subang at 3.03 pm, accompanied by a delegation that included Prince Abdul Mateen, senior Cabinet members, and high-ranking officials. Tunku Temenggong Johor, Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, welcomed them upon their arrival. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil were also present to greet the Bruneian monarch.
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This visit is taking place at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the 17th King of Malaysia. It is the third official visit from a foreign head of state since Sultan Ibrahim assumed the throne, following earlier visits from the presidents of China and Indonesia. Upon arrival, the Sultan was accorded a formal welcome. A ceremonial guard of honor, formed by 28 members of the Royal Ranger Regiment and led by Captain Muhammad Asyraf Zulkifli, stood in place. The welcome ceremony featured the national anthems of both nations, performed by the Royal Malay Regiment’s Central Band, followed by a 21-gun salute. Later today at Istana Negara, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is scheduled to have an official audience with the King. A state banquet hosted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will follow.
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According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra), the Sultan will also meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow for the 26th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC), the highest-level platform for bilateral discussions between the two countries. The ALC provides a forum for both leaders to evaluate ongoing collaborations, discuss regional developments, and exchange perspectives on international issues. It has a significant impact on future collaboration and the existing strong Malaysia-Brunei connection. “This visit highlights the enduring and special relationship between Malaysia and Brunei, reaffirming the shared commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation for the prosperity and well-being of both nations,” the ministry’s statement said.
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During today’s meeting with Sultan Ibrahim, both monarchs held discussions on a range of topics, particularly their countries’ long-standing bilateral ties. These discussions are anticipated to create a constructive tone for the impending leadership consultation. The state banquet hosted at Istana Negara allowed both delegations to engage in casual discourse and strengthen people-to-people relations. The upcoming ALC meeting on Wednesday is expected to cover economic cooperation, cross-border infrastructure, trade, and regional security matters. A separate session between Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prime Minister Anwar will also be held in conjunction with the consultation.
Economic ties between Malaysia and Brunei remain strong. In 2024, Brunei was Malaysia’s sixth-largest commercial partner in ASEAN. The total commerce between the two nations was RM7.53 billion (about US$1.77 billion). From January to June this year, bilateral trade reached US$690 million (RM3.02 billion), with Malaysia exporting US$500 million (RM2.18 billion) and importing US$190 million (RM840 million). The Sultan’s visit is considered a reaffirmation of the two countries’ strong relations, which are based on shared history, cultural ties, and mutual respect. With the visit underway, both nations want to expand collaboration in critical sectors and build on the momentum of previous engagements to secure long-term benefits for their citizens.
