Speeches, Statements & International Documents

                           

 

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE

22^ND ANNUAL LEADERS’ CONSULTATION BETWEEN 

THE HONOURABLE TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, 

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AND

HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH,

SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 

 

PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA

5 MARCH 2019

 

 

The 22^nd Annual Leaders’ Consultation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 5 March 2019 between The Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mui’zzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. 

 

2. The Consultation was held in a warm and constructive manner, signifying the close and special relations that bind the two countries together. Both Leaders were pleased with the continued efforts made since their last meeting during the Official Visit of The Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam on 2-3 September 2018. They reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the people of both countries.  

 

3. The Leaders welcomed the latest progress under the Implementation of the Exchange of Letters mechanism, following the meeting between His Excellency Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and His Excellency Dato Seri Setia Haji Erywan Pehin Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam, held on 30 October 2018 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Both Leaders reaffirmed the importance in further strengthening the relationship by advancing dialogue and mutual understanding between the two countries. They expressed satisfaction on the positive development and agreed that the momentum should be maintained. 

 

4. The Leaders also expressed satisfaction at the continued progress made by PETRONAS and PetroleumBRUNEI through the collaboration in the Commercial Arrangement Areas (CAA) and Production Sharing Agreements (PSA). Both Leaders also encouraged both organisations to continue working together to commercialise CAA discoveries at the earliest possible opportunity. 

 

5. The Leaders 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 (i) Kinabalu West NAG (KN) and Maharajalela North Fields (MLJ) and (ii) Gumusut/Kakap (GK) and Geronggong/Jagus-East (GRG/JGE) fields. 

 

6. The Leaders welcomed the positive progress made by the joint technical committee on the demarcation and survey of the land boundary between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam and noted that both sides have agreed not to undertake any activities in areas where joint demarcation and survey has yet to be completed. The 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. In this regard, the Leaders looked forward to the convening of the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Land Boundary Committee at the earliest possible opportunity, which will discuss the findings of the joint technical committee.    

 

7. The Leaders noted the ongoing discussions between officials from both countries on the provision of the Exchange of Letters relating to maritime access.  

 

8. The Leaders also encouraged their officials to explore innovative ways to develop maritime cooperation between the two countries. In this regard, the Leaders welcomed the ongoing discussions between their officials in this field with a view to having a Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation.

 

9. The Leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued progress in trade and investment cooperation, particularly with the states of Sabah and Sarawak. The Leaders also urged for more synergy in economic cooperation and promotion in the areas of transport and infocommunications, energy, tourism, agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

 

10. The Leaders welcomed the ongoing discussion between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam on cooperation in several sectors and Brunei Darussalam noted that Malaysia will put forward a proposed Memorandum of Understanding relating to fisheries cooperation.

 

11. The Leaders took note of the engagement between the relevant officials on matters related to immigration cooperation, including the Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller Programme (BMFTP), which has eased travel between both countries and enhanced peopleto-people connectivity. 

 

12. The Leaders took note of the ongoing negotiations pertaining to the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Transport. The Leaders further encouraged the relevant agencies of both countries to continue the discussion, and looked forward to the conclusion of the deliberations on the Memorandum of Understanding at the earliest opportunity.

 

13. The Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding relating to the transfer, escorting and movement of prisoners from areas between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei Darussalam and the movement of prisoners within Brunei Darussalam via Sarawak. Both Leaders agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding will facilitate the transfer of prisoners between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam without compromising the security and safety of the prisoners as well as the public.

 

14. The Leaders expressed their satisfaction with the existing bilateral cooperation in defence between the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) which continues to be strengthened via regular exchanges of visits, official level engagements, training courses and military exercises. The 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. 

 

15. The Leaders were also pleased with the close cooperation between the MAF and the RBAF as well as commended the admirable efforts of their personnel in contributing towards the maintenance of international peace and stability, particularly under the ambit of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in

Southern Philippines. The Leaders took note that the latest deployment by RBAF to join the MAF for IMT and UNIFIL operations was on 30 August 2018 and 6 September 2018, respectively. 

 

16. The Prime Minister of Malaysia looked forward to the participation of high-level officials from Brunei Darussalam in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition

2019 (LIMA ’19) on 26 – 30 March 2019. 

 

17. Both Leaders expressed satisfaction with the active people linkages, particularly among the youths in promoting greater friendship and understanding. In this regard, the Leaders looked forward to the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding in the Fields of Youth and Sports to continue enhancing sports training and youth leadership development of both countries.

 

18. The Leaders welcomed the good relations and encouraged regular engagements between the two civil services. Brunei Darussalam hosted the 16^th Malaysia–Brunei Darussalam Public Service Senior Officials’ Exchange Programme on 12 – 14 May 2017. The programme promoted greater interaction and understanding on public service matters between the two countries. The Leaders looked forward to the 17^th Malaysia–Brunei Darussalam Public Service Senior Officials’ Exchange Programme to be hosted by Malaysia in 2019.

 

19. The Prime Minister of Malaysia conveyed his congratulations to Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of Brunei Darussalam’s 35^th National Day on 23 February 2019.  

 

20. His Majesty congratulated Malaysia on the proclamation of inauguration of His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah as Malaysia’s new King.

 

21. Both Leaders were pleased with the outcome of their meeting and looked forward to the implementation of the decisions reached for a much strengthened bilateral relationship and cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

 

22. The Leaders agreed to hold the 23^rd Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Brunei Darussalam in 2020. 

 

 

PUTRAJAYA

 5 MARCH 2019