ENHANCING BILATERAL TIES: Najib (right) with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah after a meeting with the Sultan. Later, they witnessed the signing of MoUs between the two countries. — Bernama photo
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia has proposed the setting up of a US$1.6 billion petro-chemical plant in Pulau Muara Besar and a fabrication yard for the oil and gas industry in the sultanate.
Expected to generate some 600 jobs in the sultanate, the first project would be undertaken by Petronas and Brunei National Oil Petroleum Company (PetroleumBrunei).
The second project is proposed to be undertaken by Petronas’ subsidiary Malaysia Marine and
Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this at a press conference held close to midnight
on Monday after a meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also Prime Minister of Brunei.
The meeting also culminated with the signing of an agreement on the construction of a bridge across Pandaruan River to link Temburong and Limbang.
Three other memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on economic and technical cooperation with
Sarawak government; cooperation in oil and gas sector between PetroleumBrunei and Petronas; and investment cooperation between Bandtree Sdn Bhd of Brunei and Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) were also signed. The cooperation with Sarawak government covers energy, telecommunications, transportations, tourism, halal hub, agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Najib also said Brunei was currently studying the possibility of taking up equity in hydro-power generation in Sarawak.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Najib and respective cabinet ministers of both countries.
Among those from Malaysia witnessing the signing ceremony were Chief Minister of Sarawak Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his Sabah counterpart Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hanifa Aman and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin.
The two parties also discussed cooperation to develop Islamic banking.