Malaysia and Brunei have concluded their bilateral annual leaders’ consultation between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is on a three-day visit to Malaysia.
Among the results of the consultation will be the opening of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in the Bruneian capital Bandar Seri Begawan by year end, which will further strengthen tourism cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia’s northern Borneo state of Sarawak, both countries said in a joint statement late Thursday.
“The leaders also welcomed the sale of liquified petroleum gas to Brunei from June 16 to July 1, and in this regard, encouraged both sides to strengthen efforts to further enhance economic cooperation between Brunei and the states of Sabah and Sarawak,” the statement said.
The leaders reaffirmed the need to pursue greater connectivity between Brunei and Sarawak, and welcomed the proposal to include Brunei in the Northern Coastal Highway, which would contribute to advancing socio-economic benefits for the governments and peoples of Brunei and Malaysia, the statement added.
“The leaders further reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation in disaster management through joint exercises and capacity building program as well as exchanges of expertise and information on disaster preparedness and risk reduction,” it said.
Additionally, the two countries signed two memorandums of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the field of youth and sports, as well as in the shariah judiciary. They also signed a treaty on the international transfer of prisoners.
Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is undertaking a state visit to Malaysia on Aug. 2-4.