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NEW ERA IN BRUNEI, MALAYSIA BILATERAL TIES

 

It's settled: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (R) signing the exchange of letters on the resolution of outstanding bilateral issues at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday, as Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi looks on.

 

 

His Majesty and the Malaysian premier exchange signed letters as HRH the Crown Prince and HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah look on

 

 

Bandar Seri Begawan, 17 March 2009 - The six-year territorial dispute between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia has finally been resolved with the historic signing of Exchange of Letters yesterday between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The formalisation towards the milestone settlement was held at the Istana Nurul Iman and was witnessed by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib, Minister of Education.

Malaysian Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, as well as the negotiating teams from both sides also witnessed the signing.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office, "the Exchange of Letters marked a historic and momentous occasion for Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia. It included the final delimitation of maritime boundaries between the two countries; the establishment of Commercial Agreement Areas (CAA) in oil and gas; and the modalities for the final demarcation of land boundaries between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia".

His Majesty and the Malaysian Prime Minister further "believed that the signing has paved the way for the development of a strategic partnership and collaboration between the Sultanate and Malaysia, especially in the fields of trade and investment, energy and hydrocarbon resources, tourism, education, agriculture, infrastructure, banking, Halal industry and people-to-people contacts with special focus on the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak".

The Malaysian premier in a news conference with Malaysian journalists claimed that Brunei has officially dropped its long-standing territorial claim over Limbang, a northern division in Sarawak, marking a new era in the bilateral relations between both countries.

The prime minister added that the matter was part of the historic Exchange of Letters inked between him and His Majesty, Bernama reported.

Limbang, located on the banks of Sungai Limbang between the two halves of Brunei and covers an area of 3,978 sq km with a population of more than 40,000, was annexed by James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak, in 1890 to become the fifth division of Sarawak.

Abdullah thanked His Majesty and his government for the positive action in making the solution a reality and said the border issues would now cease to haunt the relations between both countries.

"With the issue solved, Brunei and Malaysia can now enter a new era of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields and there is no more unhappiness over the issue," he said.

Meanwhile, describing the Exchange of Letters between both countries as a "happy ending" and a win-win situation for both parties, Malaysia's Foreign Minister said that the result was a compromise between both governments in the spirit of neighbourliness.

"The resolution of this matter between the Sultan of Brunei and the Prime Minister has very high value in the context of intra-Asean cooperation and between both countries.

"The letters contain several principles of cooperation to be implemented in the surveying and demarcation of the land and maritime borders," Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim told foreign reporters.

The dispute occurred in 2003 when Brunei and Malaysia awarded petroleum production-sharing contracts for four overlapping deepwater exploration blocks in the South China Sea, close to where a 440 million-barrel discovery was made the year before.

Brunei awarded one of its exploratory blocks to France's Total, BHP Billiton and Hess Corp and the other to Shell, Mitsubishi and ConocoPhillips whilst Malaysia's Petronas awarded its two blocks to US firm Murphy Oil.

Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim said, "A joint Brunei-Malaysia technical committee will be set up to translate to the ground today's territorial dispute settlement between the two countries."

The minister further elaborated that the responsibility of the committee is to settle technical issues related to surveying, delimiting and demarcating both the land and maritime boundaries between the two countries.

"It may take time for the working groups to settle the technical issues," he told the Malaysian journalists, adding that petroleum exploration and exploitation activities in the area would have to wait until all the technical details have been settled.

It was understood that as a means in reaching the historic agreement both countries had used five old treaties regarding the demarcation of the borders, which started since 1920 that will serve as the guide for all future dealings.

Furthermore, the "watershed principle" would be used to determine the land boundary while the United Nation's Convention on the Law of the Sea will guide both countries in dealing with the remaining issues over their overlapping maritime claims.

The 'watershed principle' is based around the notion that if the preservation of natural features depend upon the preservation of topography and if the fundamental topographic unit is the watershed, then the preservation of natural features depend upon the watershed.

Issues involving the welfare of the entire watershed also become tractable under such an alignment. However, current technology, such as the Geographic Information Systems, makes it possible to alter the inventory of lands to create suitable, substantial changes, in legal definitions. But the use of technological capability to make legal definitions corresponding more closely to natural definitions can lead to the resolution of territorial disputes whereby, the closer the fit between natural and man-made boundaries the fewer the disagreements will be.

The UN's Convention on the Law of the Sea takes into account due regard for a legal order for the seas and oceans as a means to facilitate international communication, and to promote the peaceful uses of the seas and oceans, the equitable and efficient utilisation of their resources and the conservation of their living resources in order to contribute to the realisation of a just and equitable international economic order, which takes into account the interests and needs of mankind as a whole and, in particular, the special interests and needs of developing countries.

Courtesy of Bulletin Borneo

 

 

JOINT STATEMENT AFTER BRUNEI-MALAYSIA EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

 

Bandar Seri Begawan, 17 March 2009 - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi held a four-eye meeting at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday and signed an Exchange of Letters to mark the successful conclusion of negotiations.

The negotiations have been ongoing for many years on outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries with regard to historical, legal and other relevant criteria involving both sides.

A joint press statement by the leaders stated that both noted the agreement of their respective governments on the key elements contained in the Exchange of Letters, which included the final delimitation of maritime boundaries between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, the establishment of Commercial Agreement Area (CAA) on oil and gas, the modalities for the final demarcation of the land boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia and unsuspendable rights of maritime access for nationals and residents of Malaysia across Brunei's maritime zones en route to and from their destination in Sarawak, Malaysia provided that Brunei's laws and regulations are observed.

"The solution of the maritime delimitation issue ensures certainly with regard to the delimitation of the territorial seas, the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone of both countries," it added.

The two countries would be able to enforce their rules and regulations and embark on new developments in their respective maritime zones.

The statement added that the demarcation of the land boundaries between the two countries will be resolved on the basis of five existing historical agreements between the Government of Brunei and the State of Sarawak, and, as appropriate, the watershed principle. Hereafter, all issues pertaining to land boundaries of the two states shall be accordingly resolved.

The Exchange of Letters marked a historic and momentous occasion for Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, the leaders said in the joint statement.

"It reflected the two countries' ability to reach a comprehensive, fair and equitable package solution in the larger interest of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia."

His Majesty and Dato' Seri Abdullah instructed relevant officials/representatives of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia to expeditiously follow up and monitor the full implementation of the provision contained in the Exchange of Letters.

Both leaders believe that the signing will pave the way for the development of a strategic partnership and closer collaboration between the two countries in all fields, especially trade and investment, energy and hydrocarbon resources, tourism, education, agriculture, infrastructure, banking, Halal industry and people-to-people contacts with special focus on the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.

The leaders also believe that brotherly relations between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia will contribute to the promotion of peace and prosperity in the region.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

 

 

 

BRUNEI DROPS ALL CLAIMS TO LIMBANG

Brunei, Malaysia settle land and maritime boundary issues via letters of exchange

Bandar Seri Begawan, 17 March 2009 - BRUNEI has dropped all territorial claims over Limbang, thus ceding the district to the state of Sarawak and recognising it as Malaysian territory, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi was reported to have told Malaysian media yesterday.

This was among the boundary issues resolved under the Letters of Exchange (LoE), which included the establishment of a "Commercial Arrangement Area" (CAA) and the right of passage for Malaysian vessels across Bruneian waters.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysian Prime Minister signed the documents at the Istana Nurul Iman.

According to Malaysian news publication The Star, Dato' Seri Abdullah said that the Sultanate had agreed to drop the "Limbang issue" as a result of the two nations resolving their land and maritime disputes.

"With this resolution, there are no more issues to haunt the close relationship between Brunei and Malaysia," the prime minister was quoted to have said at a press conference at the Malaysian High Commission here which was restricted to only registered Malaysian media due to "security" concerns.

In a joint statement, leaders of both nations noted the agreement of their respective governments on the key elements contained in the LoE, particularly the "final delimitation of maritime boundaries" between the two countries and the establishment of CAA, which resolves the dispute over oil and gas reserves located in the overlapping areas of the Exclusive Economic Zones of Brunei and Malaysia.

In 2003, arguments arose over four deep underwater blocks in the South China Sea after both countries awarded oil exploration contracts to foreign companies to the same area. Under the agreement, oil and gas revenues in the disputed area will be shared between the two nations. However, the ratio of how it will be shared was not disclosed.

The LoE also grants "unsuspendable rights of maritime access" for Malaysians travelling across Brunei's maritime zones to and from Sarawak, given that they observe the Sultanate's laws and regulations.

"The two countries would be able to enforce their rules and regulations and embark on new developments in their respective maritime zones," the joint statement said.

The modalities of the final demarcation of land boundaries were also included in the LoE, for which a joint technical committee will be tasked to sort out the final formalities. It will be resolved on the basis of five existing historical agreements between the governments of Brunei and Sarawak, and where appropriate, on the watershed principle.

His Majesty and the Malaysian Prime Minister believes that the signing of the LoE will "pave the way for the development of strategic partnership and closer collaboration between the two countries in all fields," according to the statement.

Earlier yesterday, His Majesty, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar received in audience Dato' Seri Abdullah and Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

After that, a meeting between the two leaders was then held, followed by the signing of the LoE.

A luncheon was also hosted for the Malaysian premier and his spouse as well as the Malaysian delegation, which included Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, the Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak and other senior Malaysian officials.

Also present yesterday was HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Hajah Zariah, HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, HRH Princess Hajah Masna, the Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as other members of the Royal Family.

The Malaysian Prime Minister and spouse departed Brunei yesterday afternoon, concluding his two-day visit.

 

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

 

RUNDINGAN ISU DUA HALA BRUNEI-MALAYSIA SELESAI

 

Bandar Seri Begawan, 17 Mac 2009 - Hubungan Brunei dan Malaysia kini memasuki sejarah baru apabila rundingan terhadap isu dua hala - terutama membabitkan persempadanan kedua-dua negara - diselesaikan secara rasmi dengan penandatanganan Pertukaran Surat-Surat.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam hari ini berkenan menandatangani dokumen itu bersama Perdana Menteri Malaysia Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Kenyataan Jabatan Perdana Menteri menyebut penandatangan Pertukaran Surat-Surat merupakan satu peristiwa penting dan bersejarah bagi kedua-dua buah negara kerana antara lain dokumen yang ditandatangani itu menyentuh mengenai pengehadan muktamad ke atas sempadan maritim kedua-dua buah negara.

Dokumen itu turut mencatatkan persetujuan bersama mengenai kaedah menyelesaikan pembatasan muktamad ke atas sempadan tanah di antara Brunei dan Malaysia serta penubuhan Kawasan Pengurusan Komersial - Commercial Arrangement Area (CAA) dalam bidang minyak dan gas.

Baginda Sultan dan Datuk Seri Abdullah dalam satu kenyataan akhbar bersama percaya penandatanganan Pertukaran Surat-Surat itu memberi peluang kepada penubuhan satu rakan kongsi strategik dan kerjasama erat antara dua negara berjiran itu dalam pelbagai bidang.

Itu terutamanya dalam bidang perdagangan dan pelaburan, tenaga dan sumber-sumber hidrokarbon, pelancongan, pelajaran, pertanian, prasarana, perbankan, industri halal dan dalam mengeratkan hubungan di kalangan rakyat terutamanya di Sabah dan Sarawak.

Kedua-dua pemimpin juga percaya hubungan rapat dan istimewa antara Brunei dan Malaysia akan memberi sumbangan kepada usaha meningkatkan keamanan dan kemakmuran rantau ini.

Sebelum itu Baginda Sultan berkenan mengadakan pertemuan empat mata dalam majlis di Istana Nurul Iman.

Yang turut berangkat menyaksikan majlis berkenaan ialah Menteri Kanan di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah dan Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar Pengiran Muda Mohamed Bolkiah.

Sebelum itu Baginda Sultan bersama Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar telah berkenan menerima menghadap Datuk Seri Abdullah dan isteri, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

Yang berangkat sama ke majlis itu ialah Pengiran Muda Mahkota, Pengiran Perdana Wazir, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Duta Berkelana di Kementerian Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Masna serta ahli kerabat diraja.

Sementara itu rombongan dari Malaysia antara lain dianggotai Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, Menteri Pelajaran Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Ketua Menteri Sarawak Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Haji Mahmud dan Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

Sejurus selepas penandatanganan berkenaan Baginda Sultan, Baginda Raja Isteri dan Pengiran Isteri telah mengadakan majlis persantapan tengah hari bagi meraikan Datuk' Seri Abdullah, Datin Seri Jeanne serta rombongan.

Datuk Seri Abdullah dan rombongan yang tiba ke negara ini semalam dalam rangka lawatan kerja selama dua hari meninggalkan negara ini, petang tadi.

Sementara laporan agensi berita rasmi Malaysia, Bernama menyebut kenyataan bersama yang dikeluarkan oleh kedua-dua pemimpin menyatakan antara perkara utama yang terkandung dalam Pertukaran Surat-Surat itu ialah modaliti bagi penyelesaian muktamad persempadanan daratan antara Brunei dan Malaysia.

Menurut kenyataan itu, persempadanan itu akan diselesaikan berasaskan kepada lima perjanjian sejarah sedia ada antara Kerajaan Brunei dan Kerajaan Sarawak, dan sewajarnya, mengikut prinsip titik perubahan.

"Dengan itu, semua isu berkaitan dengan sempadan daratan kedua-dua negara akan diselesaikan sewajarnya," katanya.

Menurut kenyataan itu, antara elemen utama dalam surat itu ialah "tiada penggantungan hak akses maritim bagi warganegara dan penduduk Malaysia untuk menyeberangi zon maritim Brunei dalam perjalanan pergi dan balik daripada destinasi mereka di Sarawak, Malaysia dengan syarat undang-undang dan peraturan Brunei dipatuhi.

"Penyelesaian isu persempadanan maritim itu memastikan ketetapan berhubung persempadanan kawasan laut, pentas benua dan Zon Ekonomi Eksklusif (EEZ) kedua-dua negara.

"Kedua-dua negara akan dapat menguatkuasakan peraturan dan undang-undang mereka dan menjalankan pembangunan di kawasan zon maritim masing-masing," katanya.

Kenyataan dua muka surat itu juga menyatakan Pertukaran Surat-Surat, yang merupakan peristiwa bersejarah bagi Brunei dan Malaysia, mencerminkan keupayaan kedua-dua negara untuk mencapai penyelesaian secara komprehensif, adil dan saksama demi kepentingan kedua-dua negara.

Katanya kedua-dua pemimpin percaya pemeteraian surat itu akan membuka laluan bagi pewujudan kerjasama strategik dan memperkukuhkan usaha sama dalam semua bidang, terutamanya perdagangan dan pelaburan.

 

Ehsan Media Permata