By M K Anwar
Brunei and Malaysia agreed to set up a joint consortium to oversee the implementation of collaborative projects between the two countries.
This agreement was made at a 13-point Joint Statement of the 10th Annual Leader's Consultation between Brunei and Malaysia attended by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
During the consultation between Brunei and Malaysia, the two leaders agreed that it was essential for interaction at all levels to be further enhanced.
Both leaders spoke positively of the contributions made by Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia annual civil service senior officials exchange programme. The implementation of such a programme is to be done at Ministerial level and will be known as 'Brunei Darussalam - Malaysia Annual Ministerial exchange programme.'
This would be another effort bringing members of both governments closer together. Furthermore deep concern on the Middle East crisis, particularly Lebanon and Gaza was mentioned in the joint statement. Among others, the joint statement expressed the warm, cordial and brotherly relations that have bonded the two countries.
Emphasising on this warm and enduring friendship, both leaders have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining strong links between both countries.
Both leaders also noted great progress made in various areas of cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, science and technology especially biotechnology, aquaculture and agriculture, shipping and related matters, finance and banking, information and broadcasting, culture, education, religious affairs, human capital development, defence, security and tourism.
Another breakthrough from the consultation is that both leaders have agreed in principle on the construction of bridges in designated areas linking Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak. "These initiatives will be undertaken by the private sector," the statement said.
The two leaders have expressed their commitment to the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation through the expansion and deepening of existing areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.
"Both leaders agreed to the setting up of a Brunei - Malaysia Project Oriented Consortium to oversee implementation of specific collaborative projects between the two sides," the statement said.
It is believe that the Trans-Borneo Highway project to facilitate travel between the two countries in the future will be among the projects involving the Brunei-Malaysia consortium.
The Malysian PM said on Thursday that the crucial project could contribute towards closer relations between the people of the two neighbouring countries.
The statement released yesterday also stated that both leaders discussed the long-standing issue of the maritime delimitation, which they wish to resolve without further delay.
"To that end they have instructed their negotiating teams to explore all means to resolve the issue as soon as possible and both leaders expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved in an agreed, peaceful and equitable manner".
The importance of interactions at all levels to be further enhanced was also highlighted and with this in mind both Leaders have spoken positively on the contribution made by the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Annual Civil Service Senior Officials' Exchange Programme.
Both Leaders have also recognised the importance for Second Echelon officials of the Civil Service of both countries to meet and interact more frequently through the existing Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Second Echelon Civil Service Exchange Programme.
Further deepening this interactions, the statement stated that the agreement to the implementation of an Exchange Programme at the Ministerial Level to be known as the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Annual Ministerial Exchange Programme. This will be another step towards bringing members of both Governments closer together.
The recent increase of flight frequencies between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam was also noted in the statement and this increase is seen as a positive step which could play an important role in promoting understanding and friendship between peoples of the two countries. Budget airline AirAsia has recently begun operating daily flights.
- Borneo Bulletin
(26th August 2006)
