Dr Mahathir (left) with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah after the conclusion of the Malaysia-Brunei 22nd Annual Leaders’ Consultation. — Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have agreed not to undertake any activities in areas where joint demarcation and survey of the land boundary between two countries have yet to be completed.
According to a joint statement issued after the conclusion of the Malaysia-Brunei 22nd Annual Leaders’ Consultation between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah here yesterday, the leaders welcomed the positive progress made by the joint technical committee on the demarcation and survey of the land boundary.
“The two leaders congratulated both technical teams from Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam for finding new ways to expedite the survey and demarcation activities, especially in the priority areas,” the statement said.
The leaders looked forward to the convening of the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Land Boundary Committee at the earliest possible opportunity, which would discuss the findings of the joint technical committee, it said.
“The leaders also expressed satisfaction at the continued progress made by Petronas and PetroleumBRUNEI through collaboration in the Commercial Arrangement Areas (CAA) and Production Sharing Agreements (PSA).
“Both leaders encouraged the two organisations to continue working together to commercialise CAA discoveries at the earliest possible opportunity.
“They also took note of the cooperation between Petronas and the Brunei National Unitisation Secretariat under the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Unitisation Joint Working Group on activities related to the Kinabalu West NAG (KN) and Maharajalela North Fields (MLJ), and Gumusut/Kakap (GK) and
Geronggong/Jagus-East (GRG/JGE) fields.
“The two leaders encouraged their officials to explore innovative ways to develop maritime cooperation and welcomed the ongoing discussions between their officials in the field with a view to having a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation.
“They also expressed satisfaction at the continued progress in trade and investment cooperation, particularly with Sabah and Sarawak and urged for more synergy in economic cooperation and promotion in the areas of transport and infocommunications, energy, tourism, agriculture, livestock and fisheries,” the statement said.
It said Dr Mahathir and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also took note of the engagement between the relevant officials on matters related to immigration cooperation, including the Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller Programme (BMFTP), which had eased travel between both countries and enhanced people-to-people connectivity.
The two leaders also underscored the importance of defence cooperation between the two countries, especially in maintaining peace and stability in light of the security challenges and threats in the region.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir looks forward to the participation of high-level officials from Brunei in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2019 (LIMA ’19) from March 26 to 30.
Dr Mahathir and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah agreed to hold the 23rd Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Brunei next year (2020).
The 22nd Annual Leaders’ Consultation was held in a warm and constructive manner, signifying the close and special relations that bind the two countries together.
“They (the leaders) reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the people of both countries,” the statement said. — Bernama