James Kon
Malaysian companies operating in Brunei are called to abide by the law and regulations of the Sultanate.
This call was made by Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Dato’ Raja Reza bin Raja Zaib Shah during a networking session with Brunei Fuzhou Shiyyi Association members on Monday night.
He said the companies should have the culture of integrity and zero tolerance to corruption as well as looking after the welfare and well-being of their employees, adding that they are obligated to provide reasonable wages and adequate housing.
“I do not want Malaysian companies to face court for violating the law,” said the high commissioner.
Dato’ Raja Reza also added that trade between Brunei and Malaysia is expected to surpass MYR10 billion this year. It was an increase from MYR4.6 billion in 2020 and MYR8.03 billion in 2021.
The high commissioner returned to Brunei from a trip to Labuan where he attended a World War II memorial service, met Labuan Corporation Chairman Haji Bashir bin Haji Alias and attended a networking session on boosting trade and tourism between Brunei and Labuan.
Among the discussions was increasing daily ferry services to three each way between the island and Muara. Dato’ Raja Reza said he has visited several companies and appreciates the contributions of Malaysians to the Sultanate, adding that there are around 25,000 Malaysians residing and working in Brunei, with some having been in the Sultanate for over three decades.
He said Malaysians in Brunei play a big part in the Sultanate’s economy with some taking up leadership roles in the business community.
The high commissioner also lauded Malaysian companies for their community service by conducting corporate social responsibility activities such as blood donation drives and beach clean-up activities.
Dato’ Raja Reza said Brunei re-opened its land and sea borders on August 1 but he will seek to extend the operating hours at border checkpoints to midnight.
The high commissioner concluded his speech by reminding Malaysians to vote in the 15th general election (GE15).
He said GE15 is ‘mother of all elections’ with record 945 candidates vying for 222 Parliament seats and a substantial increase in voter base from 14.9 million in 2018 to
21.1 million.
In the same event that took place at D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd’s hall, Brunei Fuzhou Shiyyi Association President Jackson Ting said the networking event is the association’s first and that it is a platform for the members to connect with the Malaysian High Commission to discuss issues faced by Malaysians residing in Brunei.
