By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 21: Efforts are underway to streamline travel between Brunei Darussalam, Sarawak and Sabah, particularly by simplifying procedures at immigration checkpoints.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan said the matter was among several issues discussed during the 27th Meeting on the Implementation of the Exchange of Letters (EOL-27) between Malaysia and Brunei, which also covered land and maritime boundaries and cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
“There were discussions on ways to facilitate the movement of residents between Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak, as well as Sabah, as there are currently many immigration checkpoints to clear. There are eight that have to be cleared when travelling there and back,” he told reporters after the meeting held in Brunei Darussalam today, as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
Mohamad said both countries had tasked their respective technical committees with continuing discussions to identify the most effective way to ease cross-border travel.
On the land boundary, he said about 50 per cent of outstanding issues had been resolved, particularly those involving boundary demarcation on the ground.
“The demarcation would be aligned with the 2009 Terms of Reference (TOR) and findings from the technical committee’s field assessments, which would then form the basis for finalising the land boundary between Malaysia and Brunei,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said all matters concerning cooperation between PETRONAS Carigali and Brunei’s oil company had been resolved, with first gas production from the Kledang deepwater exploration project expected to commence in early 2029.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was also present at the meeting. — DayakDaily
