PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Brunei today signed a memorandum of understanding on the movement of prisoners between the two countries.
The agreement involves the transport and escort of Sabah and Sarawak prisoners through Brunei, and Brunei prisoners through Sabah and Sarawak.
Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad witnessed the signing of the agreement.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin inked the agreement on behalf of Malaysia and Brunei was represented by Muhyiddin’s counterpart Datuk Seri Setia Dr Awang Abu Bakar Apong.
Earlier, the two leaders had a four-eye meeting deliberating on various issues of interest, which lasted for more than one hour.
Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, also hosted a luncheon in honour of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Seri Perdana, the Prime Minister’s official residence.
The Foreign Ministry reportedly said the meeting between the two countries was held in conjunction with the 22nd Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation.
This year marked the first meeting between Dr Mahathir and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah under the Annual Leaders’ Consultation framework — the highest platform for discussion on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues of common concern.
The two leaders had exchanged visits in May and September last year, following the appointment of Dr Mahathir as the seventh prime minister of Malaysia.
Last year’s 21st Annual Leaders’ Consultation was held in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Wisma Putra said the special relationship between the two countries were based on a common heritage and culture.
Malaysia is a major investor in Brunei from the Asean region, with foreign direct Investment (FDI) amounting to US$486.74 million
(RM1.9 billion) in 2017 or nearly 90.9 per cent of total FDI US$535.27 million (RM2.18 billion) from fellow Asean member states into Brunei.
Trade between Malaysia and Brunei stood at US$981.2 million last year.
Also present were Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg.