Hanoi (VNA) – Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim co-chaired the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27) in Bandar Seri Begawan on August 22.
In a joint statement following the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their enduring bilateral relationship and exploring new opportunities for cooperation to promote prosperity for the people of both countries.
One of the key topics discussed at the event was the implementation of the 2009 Exchange of Letters, a document considered the foundation for bilateral strategic cooperation.
Regarding border issues, the two leaders expressed satisfaction that about 50% of the land boundary between the two countries had been jointly surveyed and demarcated. Both sides aim to complete the entire process by 2034.
In addition, border security issues, including combating smuggling and other illegal activities and coordinating search and rescue operations, are being prioritised through enhanced information-sharing mechanisms.
Economic cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia, particularly the states of Sabah and Sarawak, continues to make substantial progress, especially in energy, tourism and agriculture. Both sides welcomed the Brunei-Sarawak power interconnection project under the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and agreements on rice cultivation to help ensure food security.
Notably, the leaders encouraged research into the feasibility of a single checkpoint to streamline immigration procedures and facilitate cross-border trade and tourism.
In defence and security, Brunei and Malaysia affirmed their commitment to maintaining regional stability through joint training programmes and coordination within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The two countries also signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in disaster management and acknowledged the positive outcomes of the International Prisoner Transfer Treaty.
In education and people-to-people exchanges, scholarship programmes, student exchanges and sporting events such as SUKMA XXII Selangor 2026 continue to serve as important bridges between the younger generations of the two countries./.
