His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed satisfaction on the progress of ongoing work for the demarcation of land boundaries between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
In a joint statement issued following the 25th Brunei-Malaysia Annual Leaders’ Consultation, the Leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the implementation of the 2009 Exchange of Letters, which remains important in advancing the strategic collaboration of both countries.
The leaders encouraged officials to continue implementing the agreement through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding, said the statement.
Both Leaders welcomed the outcomes of the 25th Meeting between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia on the Implementation of the Exchange of Letters held on 12 August 2024 in Brunei Darussalam as well as the outcomes of the 3rd meeting of the Joint Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Land Boundary Committee, which was held on 11 July 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The leaders were pleased with the signing of the Exchange of Notes at the Ministerial-level which reflected the strong commitment by both countries to make significant joint progress in the priority areas, specifically Sector F-G, as soon as possible.
Both sides also welcomed the timeline of activities agreed in the Exchange of Notes and looked forward to determining the watershed by May 31, 2025 and for both sides to complete the demarcation and survey of Sector F-G by May 31, 2027.
Both Leaders were also pleased with the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Government of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of Malaysia on Phase One of the Joint Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia for Sector D-E, specific sections in Sector C-D, Sector E-F, Sector K-L and part of Sector J-K in the vicinity of Jambatan Persahabatan and Block B in the vicinity of Brunei Bay.
The Leaders also recognised that the signing of these documents signified the progress made in the joint demarcation and survey of the land boundary between both countries since 2012, marking yet another step forward in Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia’s steadfast relations.
The Leaders expressed their satisfaction with the excellent work of the Joint Technical Committee on the Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia on the significant progress achieved in the joint survey and demarcation works so far, noting that a total distance of 175.966 kilometres, equivalent to 33.3 per cent of the total of the land boundary, has been demarcated.
They urged both technical teams to undertake the joint demarcation and survey exercise expeditiously, particularly in priority areas such as in Sector A-B, Sector F-G and Sector G-H, with a view towards completing all works by 2034.
Meanwhile, both Leaders noted the first meeting of the Working Committee on Security Matters Related to the Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Land Boundary held on July 1, 2024 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
The leaders also noted the ongoing discussions between officials of both countries to jointly address matters related to security along the boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia and looked forward to the outcomes which will be further deliberated by the Joint Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Land Boundary Committee.
The Leaders urged both sides to continue their engagement under this platform, emphasising the importance of enhancing communication and information sharing among the relevant enforcement agencies, as well as finding ways to combat illegal activities along the border, in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the Working Committee.
