BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei was Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner among ASEAN member states, with bilateral trade reaching MYR5.86 billion in 2025.
From January to June 2026, total trade stood at MYR2.38 billion, demonstrating continued strength and competitiveness in bilateral economic relations, said High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Datuk Mohd Aini Atan.
He said this during a flag-hoisting ceremony in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day at the Malaysian High Commission yesterday.
He also highlighted the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, aimed at strengthening business networks and expanding commercial exchanges.
The high commissioner encouraged Malaysian businesses in Brunei to make full use of the platform to explore new opportunities and contribute to mutual economic growth.
He highlighted the strong and longstanding ties between Brunei and Malaysia, underpinned by shared history, Islam, Malay culture and the institution of monarchy.
The high commissioner said August 31 remained a significant date for Malaysians, marking the birth of a free and sovereign nation.
He said Malaysia’s independence was achieved through the struggles and sacrifices of previous generations, adding that the legacy must be preserved for future generations.
The high commissioner also highlighted this year’s National Day theme, ‘Malaysia MADANI, Kesejahteraan Dinikmati’, which reflects the government’s commitment to building a progressive, inclusive and prosperous nation where the benefits of development and well-being are enjoyed fairly by all levels of society.
On bilateral relations, he noted that Brunei and Malaysia had maintained close relations for more than four decades, strengthened by their shared values and historical ties.
He cited the recent visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Brunei for the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27) on August 22, 2026, describing the mechanism as the highest-level bilateral platform for both leaders to discuss matters of mutual interest and chart the direction of cooperation.
The visit also saw the Malaysian prime minister conferred the Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Amat Dihormati (D.K.) by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah which he described as a meaningful honour reflecting the close relations between the two countries. – Borneu Bulletin/ ANN
