PM Najib, Brunei Sultan end talks on positive note

Malaysia and Brunei today agreed that there is good potential for future co-operation between both countries especially beyond Block CA1 and Block CA2 of the Commercial Arrangement Area (CAA) as well as concerning Sabah and Sarawak.

This agreement was achieved at the 14th Annual Leaders’ Consultation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, which was held at Seri Perdana here tonight.

Also present was Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

According to a joint statement issued here, the future co-operation also involved a possible joint venture with a third country in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas, and the development of downstream industries.

Earlier, both leaders witnessed the signing of the Deed of Amendment of the Brunei deepwater block production sharing agreement (PSA) for Block CA1 of the CAA.

The agreement was signed between PetroleumBrunei and national oil corporation Petronas.

Prior to that, Najib and Sultan Hassanal had a four-eyed meeting for about half an hour.

Both leaders noted that the signing represented a significant step forward in the co-operation between the petroleum authorities of both countries.

“They also hoped that the PSA for Block CA2 of the CAA would be finalised soon,” said the joint statement.

The two leaders took note of the progress in the discussions on the implementation of other agreed elements of the Exchange of Letters between the two countries.

The annual consultation also saw both leaders taking note of the progress of the discussions of the Joint Malaysia-Brunei Land Boundary Technical Committee and urged the committee to finalise and conclude the Terms of Reference and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Joint Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary by the end of 2010 to enable joint demarcation and survey activities to begin by the first half of 2011.

“Both leaders highlighted the need for both countries to enhance economic co-operation and further facilitate and create a more conducive and sound environment in the various sectors of mutual interests with particular emphasis being given to activities in Sabah and Sarawak,” said the joint statement.

Najib and the Sultan also expressed their desire to further enhance bilateral trade and investment and hoped the momentum in the increasing level of trade and investment between the two countries would continue to accelerate.

“His Majesty the Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed satisfaction that several Malaysian companies have participated in projects with the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and welcomed more Malaysian investment in Brunei,” it said.

The prime minister also expressed satisfaction with the investments made by Brunei in Malaysia and welcomed further investments in Malaysia’s economic corridors namely the Sarawak Renewable Energy Corridor (SCORE), the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) and the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).

Both leaders also agreed to direct the relevant agencies of the two countries to intensify their discussions on ways and measures to enhance cross-border trade and the flow of good and services between Brunei and Malaysia, including transit and other charges.

“Both leaders recalled the 10th Annual Consultation held in Kemaman, Terengganu in August 2006 on the construction of bridges, especially in designated areas linking Brunei and Sarawak, and noted that these initiatives would be undertaken by the private sector.

“They hoped that the construction of the bridge over Sungai Pandaruan could commence as soon as possible,” said the joint statement.

The two leaders also expressed satisfaction that the ferry service between Serasa, Brunei and Menumbok, Sabah was operating very smoothly and had facilitated travel by locals and tourists from both countries since its launch on December 30, 2009.

Both leaders also noted with satisfaction that the Frequent Travellers’ Facility (FTF) had been agreed to and looked forward to its launching which would facilitate people-to-people interaction and travel between Malaysia and Brunei.

The two leaders also welcomed the overall excellent state of bilateral relations, and noted with pleasure the progress in bilateral co-operation in a multitude of areas, including trade and investment, finance and banking, energy, defence, education, agro-business and industries, tourism, air services, health, information and communications technology (ICT), and information and broadcasting.

As close neighbours, both leaders acknowledged the importance of enhancing consultations and co-ordination in efforts towards realising an Asean Community in 2015, and in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

“They reaffirmed the central role that Asean plays in these endeavours. Both leaders looked forward to the convening of the 17th Asean Summit and related summits in Hanoi, Vietnam from October 28 to 30 and expressed their best wishes and support to the government of Vietnam in its preparations for the events,” added the joint statement.

Both leaders also looked forward to the forthcoming 2nd Asean-US Leaders Meeting on September 24 in New York and expressed confidence that the discussions would further enhance Asean-US relations particularly in promoting increased dialogue and co-operation.

As they shared a deep concern for the tragic humanitarian situation in Pakistan as a result of the floods which affected more than 20 million people in that country, both leaders agreed to step up regional and international efforts towards disaster prevention and disaster relief.

They also expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the annual consultation and agreed to hold the next consultation in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei next year. — Bernama