BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam aim to finalise the basic parameters for resolving outstanding border issues involving Sarawak by the end of this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said good initial understanding had been reached between both countries towards resolving overlapping claims and other outstanding territorial matters.
He said he had sought the consent of Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah for the Foreign Ministers of both countries to meet with their respective teams soon to work towards resolving the issues.
“Although initially both sides felt the target should be set for early next year, the Sultan and I believe that at least the basic parameters can be resolved before the end of this year,” he was quoted as saying in an UKAS report during a press conference after attending the 27th Leaders’ Annual Consultation (ALC-27) between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam here today (Aug 22).
He said the border issues also involved areas and interests concerning Sarawak, making the participation of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg important in ensuring Sarawak’s and Malaysia’s interests were fully protected.
At the same time, Anwar said cross-border cooperation, particularly involving immigration and customs, needed to be strengthened to facilitate the movement of people and economic activities between Malaysia and Brunei.
He said the respective technical committees at the central agency level had been instructed to accelerate the process, particularly through cooperation with Sarawak.
“We have asked the respective technical committees at the central agency level, with cooperation especially from Sarawak, to accelerate this process and reduce the lengthy procedures at three or four places before one can enter any state, in this case Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam,” he said.
According to Anwar, the effort is also in line with the aspiration to strengthen tourism ties and facilitate movement between Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
Also present were Abang Johari, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
