BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia and Brunei have agreed to step up efforts to resolve the long-delayed issue of land and maritime border demarcation between the two countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said about 50% of the border demarcation process had been completed so far.
He said representatives from both countries would hold further discussions to resolve the outstanding issues while ensuring the territorial rights of both nations were respected.
“Representatives of both countries will hold meetings so that we can resolve this issue (land and maritime borders). In our efforts to demarcate the border, we will not compromise the territorial rights of either Brunei or Malaysia.
“We need to look after each other’s interests so that these border demarcation efforts benefit both countries,” he said at a press conference held in conjunction with his two-day working visit to Brunei yesterday.
Anwar said the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27) between Malaysia and Brunei provided an important platform to resolve outstanding issues and strengthen bilateral relations, reported Bernama.
He also said both countries had agreed in principle to facilitate the movement of people between Malaysia and Brunei.
Anwar said that outdated regulations had made it difficult for people to enter each other’s countries, necessitating improvements in immigration procedures.
“We have asked the technical committee involved in these negotiations at the federal level, in cooperation with Sarawak and Sabah, to expedite this process.
“We understand that the immigration process is lengthy and involves passing through several immigration checkpoints before reaching the destination,” he said.
Earlier, Anwar and the Malaysian delegation arrived at Istana Nurul Iman at about 11am to attend ALC-27, which was also attended by the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Anwar and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on disaster management cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei.
The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation in disaster management, including enhancing preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies.
Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Ghani.
