Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, with both countries agreeing to advance collaboration in areas including border management, energy, trade, security and connectivity.
The commitment was made during the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan on Saturday.
A key focus was the demarcation of the Malaysia-Brunei land boundary. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to existing agreements governing the process and noted that 264.791km, or about half of the land boundary, has been jointly surveyed and demarcated.
They set a target to complete the joint survey and demarcation of the entire land boundary by 2034, while work on Sector F-G is to be completed by May 31, 2027 based on the watershed principle.
The leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation on cross-border security, search and rescue, emergency response and maritime matters.
Economic cooperation was another priority, particularly between Brunei and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. Both sides welcomed progress in energy cooperation, including efforts towards the Brunei-Sarawak power interconnection project under the ASEAN Power Grid, as well as cooperation in oil and gas and other energy activities.
They also backed greater cooperation in tourism, logistics, digital services, food products and investment, while encouraging progress on commercial rice cultivation in Sarawak as a potential contribution to food security and economic development.
The leaders further encouraged agencies to explore the feasibility of a “single checkpoint” to streamline immigration procedures and facilitate smoother cross-border movement. They also highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Trans Borneo Highway, as important drivers of connectivity, trade and tourism across Borneo.
On regional issues, Malaysia and Brunei reaffirmed their support for ASEAN unity and centrality, while stressing the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
Both leaders also expressed concern over renewed hostilities in the Middle East, calling for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy. They highlighted the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz on global energy and essential-goods supply chains and called for safe and uninterrupted maritime passage in accordance with international law.
Malaysia and Brunei also condemned attacks targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which includes personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Armed Forces, and called for the safety of UN personnel to be fully protected.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the consultation and pledged to continue strengthening their longstanding bilateral relationship and mutually beneficial cooperation.
