BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the profound significance of the personal rapport demonstrated by Brunei Ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, saying this bond will be cultivated to strengthen ties between the two nations.
The Prime Minister, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for the warm relations, recalled how deeply touched he was by the monarch’s visit to Kuala Lumpur shortly after Anwar’s appointment as Prime Minister in 2022 – a visit made without an official invitation – solely to offer support.
He noted that the personal bond between the leaders of Malaysia and Brunei is crucial and should be leveraged to enhance ties between the two nations.
“This is a development that, to me, is very personal and deeply meaningful. It demonstrates Brunei’s readiness to open a new chapter in further strengthening bilateral ties,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
Earlier, the Prime Minister attended the 25th Annual Leaders’ Consultation between Malaysia and Brunei, during which he had a four-eyed meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Nurul Iman Palace.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah came to Kuala Lumpur on Nov 28, 2022, four days after Anwar was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister.
Anwar also noted that the close cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei would particularly benefit Sabah and Sarawak.
Brunei, he said, has shown keen interest in collaborating on new agricultural projects in Sabah and Sarawak, with the Federal Government offering full support for these initiatives.
“Brunei has also requested collaboration with the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, and I have communicated that this should be enhanced,” he said.
