Malaysia, Brunei agree to strengthen disaster management and border cooperation

Malaysia and Brunei have agreed to strengthen cooperation in disaster management and facilitate the movement of people across their border as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah concluded the 27th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders' Consultation.

Anwar said, on US social media company X, that he and the Brunei sultan witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Management Cooperation following their one-on-one meeting.

He said the renewed agreement reflected both countries' determination to improve disaster preparedness and response capabilities against potential threats, while also complementing ASEAN efforts to address increasingly complex disasters.

The leaders also agreed in principle to facilitate the movement between the two countries, including exploring a single-checkpoint system to streamline immigration procedures, Free Malaysia Today reported, citing state-run Bernama news agency.

Anwar said travellers currently face lengthy immigration procedures and must pass through several checkpoints when crossing between Malaysia and Brunei.

He said technical committees at the federal level, working with Malaysia's Sabah and Sarawak state governments, had been asked to expedite efforts to improve the process.

Anwar described the consultation as an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on matters of mutual interest, grounded in the "close relations, trust, and special friendship" between the neighboring countries.

He said the talks successfully met their objectives, particularly in strengthening bilateral relations and strategic cooperation.

Anwar thanked Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for the "warm and familial hospitality" extended to the Malaysian delegation and said Malaysia's special relationship with Brunei would continue to be strengthened to promote the prosperity and well-being of both countries.