Malaysia-Brunei Strengthen Bilateral Relations, Resolve Border Issues – Mohamad Hasan

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam continue to strengthen bilateral relations through discussions covering land and sea border issues, energy cooperation, and efforts to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries.

The matter was discussed in the Exchange of Letters Meeting co-chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and Brunei Darussalam’s Second Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Setia Erywan.

According to Mohamad, several issues requiring resolution were also discussed, in addition to efforts to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

Among the main matters given attention were land and sea border issues, cooperation between Petronas Carigali and Brunei’s oil company, the establishment of a search and rescue (SAR) mechanism, and facilitating routes for Brunei residents to Sarawak and Sabah.

“The issues we discussed consisted of matters relating to land borders, sea borders, as well as cooperation between Petronas Carigali Brunei and Brunei’s oil company,” he said.

He said, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on SAR is scheduled to be signed tomorrow, as one of the steps to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the aspects of security and emergency assistance.

Meanwhile, issues related to entry and exit routes between Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah were also given attention following the number of immigration checkpoints that residents have to pass through when travelling to and fro.

“We have requested that the technical committee continue to discuss and find ways to facilitate this matter,” he said.

Regarding the Malaysia-Brunei land border, he said approximately 50 percent of the issues have been successfully resolved, particularly related to the border demarcation process on the ground.

He said, although the positions of the borders of the two countries have been identified, there are various conditions and factors on the ground that need to be taken into account before the demarcation process can be finalised.

“This will be harmonised according to the Terms of Reference (TOR) of 2009 and the reports to be submitted by the technical committee on the ground.

“It will be harmonised and made the basis for us to finalise the land border between the two countries,” he said.

Astro Awani