JOINT STATEMENT ON THE
24TH ANNUAL LEADERS’ CONSULTATION
BETWEEN
THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM,
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA
AND
HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH, SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA
3 AUGUST 2023
At the invitation of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah and Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam paid a State Visit to Malaysia on 3 August 2023. The visit further deepened the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation shared between the Heads of States, Governments and peoples of both countries.
2. During the visit, the 24th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC) was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 3 August 2023 between The Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
3. The consultation was held in a warm and friendly manner signifying the close and special relations that bind the two countries together. Appreciating the continued efforts made since their last meeting during the Official Visit of the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam on 24 to 25 January 2023, both Leaders were determined to further enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the people of both countries.
4. Both Leaders reiterated their joint commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries and in this regard, looked forward to the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2024.
5. The Leaders expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the Implementation of the Exchange of Letters signed between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Prime Minister of Malaysia on 16 March 2009, which continues to provide further strategic impetus in deepening cooperation between both countries. The Leaders also urged the implementing mechanism, led by the Foreign Ministers of both countries to further advance cooperation for the mutual benefit of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
6. The Leaders commended the Joint Technical Committee on the Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam on the significant and positive progress achieved in the joint survey and demarcation works so far, noting a total distance of 132.25km equivalent to 25% of the total of the land boundary has been done, and looked forward to the completion of all works by 2034. In this regard, the Leaders urged both technical teams to undertake joint demarcation and survey expeditiously, especially in the agreed priority areas namely Sector A-B, Sector F-G and Sector G-H.
7. Both Leaders also acknowledged that pursuant to the 2nd Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Joint Land Boundary Committee Meeting which was held on 6 July 2023 in Bandar Seri Begawan, both sides will concurrently sign the first Memorandum of Understanding on phases which have been jointly demarcated and surveyed that covers specific sections in Sector C-D, Sector D-E, and Sector K-L, part of Sector J-K in the vicinity of Jambatan Persahabatan and Block B in the vicinity of Brunei Bay, with the Exchange of Notes at the Ministerial-level to commit both countries to make significant joint progress in the priority areas, specifically Sector F-G, as soon as possible.
8. The Leaders noted the finalisation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Working Committee on Security Matters Related to the Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Land Boundary. Both Leaders agreed that the Working Committee, would among others, assist both sides to jointly address matters related to security along the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam land boundary.
9. The Leaders expressed satisfaction on the continued progress made by PETRONAS and Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam through the collaboration in the Commercial Arrangement Areas (CAA) and Production Sharing Agreements (PSA).
10. The Leaders also expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) on 25 January 2023 and welcomed the progress and implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding in mutually beneficial areas.
11. Both Leaders noted with pleasure the progress made to pursue closer economic collaboration between Brunei Darussalam and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. In this regard, the Leaders looked forward to the opening of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam at the end of this year, which would further strengthen tourism cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the State of Sarawak. The Leaders also welcomed the sale of Liquified Petroleum Gas to Brunei Darussalam from 16 June 2023 to 1 July 2023, and in this regard, encouraged both sides to strengthen efforts to further enhance economic cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the States of Sabah and Sarawak.
12. The Leaders further reaffirmed the need to pursue greater connectivity between Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak, and welcomed the proposal to include Brunei Darussalam in the Northern Coastal Highway, which would contribute to advancing socio-economic benefits for the Governments and peoples of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
13. The Leaders welcomed Brunei Darussalam’s export initiatives with Sabah and Sarawak for processed food including meat-based products scheduled for this year, which will help to strengthen food security and supply of both sides.
14. Both Leaders were encouraged with the works of the Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak Technical Agriculture Committee in their efforts to explore opportunities in agriculture cooperation. The Leaders were pleased with the seamless coordination between both sides in the exports and imports of agricultural products and further recognised that this would pave the way for closer cooperation in agriculture between Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak.
15. The Leaders noted that the 2nd Bilateral Meeting between the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) of Malaysia and the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) of Brunei Darussalam was held on 3 - 6 July 2023 in Bandar Seri Begawan. The Leaders further reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation in disaster management through joint exercises and capacity building programmes as well as exchanges of expertise and information on disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
16. Both Leaders encouraged both sides to continue working closely towards the finalisation of the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation signed in 2006 in enhancing the capabilities and expertise of health professionals in the two countries.
17. The Leaders welcomed the signing of the Treaty between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the International Transfer of Prisoners (ITOP) which 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.
18. Building on the active people-to-people linkages, particularly through youth and sports cooperation, the Leaders also welcomed the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Youth and Sports signed in 2011 which will contribute to further enhancing the sports and social development of youths in both countries.
19. The Leaders further welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Areas of Syariah Judiciary and expressed confidence that this would strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in the areas of Syariah Judiciary between the two countries, including through initiatives such as exchange programmes of Syariah officers and joint research.
20. The Leaders expressed their satisfaction with the close 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 engagement, 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.
21. The Leaders also commended the admirable efforts of MAF and RBAF 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 welcomed the participation of two female military personnel in the latest deployment by RBAF to increase female participation in support of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
22. Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to undertake mutual cooperation in digital cooperation including in digital connectivity, cybersecurity, personal data protection and emerging technologies, and welcomed the progress made towards finalising the Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Digital Cooperation.
23. The Leaders commended the signing of the Air Services Agreement (ASA) on 24 May 2023 in Langkawi, Malaysia during the 16th Edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA`23) to further improve the existing ASA through the provision of more liberal air services between and beyond the territories of both countries. Both Leaders expressed confidence that the new ASA would create more opportunities towards increasing air traffic between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia through the number of destinations connected, streamline the recovery of the aviation industry as well as enhance more efficient air transport services with a view to boosting economic, trade and social growth for both countries.
24. The Leaders reaffirmed the benefits of enhancing transport connectivity, particularly in facilitating the continued movement of goods and people between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia. In this regard, the Leaders urged the finalisation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Transport targeted this year, which will further enhance cooperation on transport safety, sustainability, technologies and innovations between both countries.
25. Both Leaders noted the excellent progress in agriculture cooperation, particularly through the training and exchange of expertise extended by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
26. Both Leaders exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Leaders stressed the need for ASEAN to remain united and relevant, so it can maintain its central role as a key driving force that is effective and responsive in dealing with future opportunities and challenges. They further reaffirmed their commitment to continue working with ASEAN Dialogue Partners and maintain ASEAN’s outward-looking approach based on mutual interest and benefit to further advance ASEAN’s Community-building efforts.
27. The Leaders discussed the recent developments in Myanmar and expressed strong concerns regarding the ongoing violence in the country. Both Leaders called on Myanmar to fully implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and reiterated the unified position that the 5PC remains ASEAN’s main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar. Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work closely within ASEAN and other external partners, including the United Nations to encourage progress in the implementation of the 5PC in its entirety, in line with the ASEAN Leaders’ decision at the 42nd ASEAN Summit, with the end goal of finding a peaceful and durable solution, in the interest of the people of Myanmar.
28. Both Leaders discussed the situation in the Occupied Palestinian territories, and noted with concern that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Nakba. The Leaders called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and members of the international community to demand the Occupying Power halt its heinous crimes against humanity as well as apartheid policies against the Palestinians, with a view to ending the occupation and achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, in line with international law and all relevant UNSC resolutions. Both Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering position that the Palestinians deserve their right to an independent and sovereign state of their own, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
29. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam extended his warm congratulations to the Prime Minister of Malaysia as well as the best wishes of the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam to all Malaysians on the occasion of Malaysia’s 66th Independence Day on 31 August 2023.
30. Both Leaders were pleased with the outcome of their meeting and looked forward to the implementation of the decisions reached to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam for the mutual benefit of the peoples.
31. The Leaders agreed to hold the 25th Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Brunei Darussalam in 2024.
PUTRAJAYA
3 AUGUST 2023
