Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Brunei have affirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in various sectors including agriculture, immigration, prisoner transfers, and youth development, aiming to bolster food security and cross-border mobility.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this commitment was articulated in a joint statement following discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei during the 26th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders' Consultation (ALC). The ALC serves as the primary bilateral platform between the two nations for reviewing cooperative progress, addressing current issues, and exchanging views on regional and international matters of common interest.
The joint statement emphasized the significance of sharing agricultural knowledge and expertise to ensure food security. Brunei appreciated the training provided by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) to Brunei's technical officers, which has strengthened its agricultural sector. Both leaders expressed anticipation for continued agricultural collaboration that benefits both countries.
In terms of prisoner transfers, the leaders acknowledged the progress under the Treaty on the International Transfer of Prisoners (ITOP), signed on August 3, 2023. They noted the successful transfer of a Bruneian prisoner on February 25, 2025, and six Malaysians on August 6, 2025, as reflective of excellent coordination and a shared commitment to the Treaty's effective implementation.
The leaders also praised the outcomes of the 3rd Bilateral Meeting between Brunei's Department of Immigration and National Registration and Malaysia's Department of Immigration, held on February 18, 2025, in Bandar Seri Begawan. This meeting reaffirmed their commitment to efficient and secure border management, addressing immigration issues, and facilitating safe cross-border movement.
The Brunei Malaysia Frequent Traveller Programme (BMFTP) was also welcomed for its role in streamlining cross-border travel by minimizing passport stamp usage and immigration endorsements. Both leaders expressed optimism that the BMFTP would continue to ease congestion at checkpoints and enhance overall cross-border efficiency.
Further, Anwar and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah commended the strengthening of youth and sports cooperation, highlighted by Brunei's participation in regional youth dialogues and the SUKMA Games. The leaders looked forward to Brunei's participation in the upcoming Borneo Games 2025 in Kuching, Sarawak, and reaffirmed sports' role in fostering friendship and development opportunities for the youth of both countries.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also reiterated Brunei's support for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship, emphasizing Brunei's commitment to collaborative efforts with Malaysia to deliver socio-economic benefits to ASEAN citizens.
The Brunei ruler arrived in Malaysia for a three-day State Visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation. Brunei remains Malaysia's sixth-largest trading partner in ASEAN, with significant bilateral trade figures reported for 2024 and the first half of the current year.