KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — Malaysia and Brunei are in negotiation to finalise an agreement on the land border demarcation between the two countries, covering a distance of 528.45km.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said marking and measurement at the site have been carried out by both countries covering a distance of 175.96km, or 33.3 per cent, of the entire border.
“Both parties are trying to resolve the demarcation issue based on the agreed timeline, which is 2034 at the latest. Malaysia will continue to negotiate with Indonesia and Brunei through the existing bilateral mechanism to finalise land and maritime demarcation,” he said.
He was replying to a question by Datuk Henry Sum Agong (GPS-Lawas) about the government’s efforts to determine land and maritime borders between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
Mohamad said Malaysia has signed 33 land border agreements and nine maritime treaties over its borders with neighbouring countries so far.
Mohamad said for the border between Malaysia and Indonesia, the border distance that has been finalised is 1,943.2km through the signing of 22 agreements and memoranda of understanding.
“Meanwhile, for the latest maritime demarcation, the two countries signed the Straits of Melaka treaty and the Sulawesi Sea treaty on June 8, 2023, in Putrajaya. This treaty will be fully enforced and implemented after both parties complete their respective internal processes,” he said.
Replying to Henry’s supplementary question regarding the issue of long queues for vehicles entering and exiting the border of Brunei and Sabah, Mohamad said the matter was brought up in a Malaysia-Brunei meeting to discuss solutions regarding immigration management issues and the number of checkpoints.
“Negotiation after negotiation has been held and next week, God willing, I will be in Brunei for us to hold a meeting for the exchange of letters.
“Recently, senior officers of the Malaysian and Brunei governments held negotiations so we can reach a consensus to ensure the understanding of the two countries over the land demarcation between Malaysia and Brunei,” he said.
Mohamad said the ministry is cautious on issues of national sovereignty, and any signing of maritime or land demarcation agreements will only be done after considering sensitive matters, including concerns of state governments.
— Bernama
