Brunei, Malaysia Explore New Areas Of Cooperation
By Achong Tanjong & Azian Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday granted an audience to Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi who is here for a two-day working visit.

Dato' Abdullah also said Brunei is giving attention to whatever development initiatives that could be started and not merely in oil and gas-related industries. "We agreed to cooperate in other areas which can be explored jointly or can be opened through mutual cooperation."

He said Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam Joint Commission (JCM) will be upgraded and the committee will play an important role in the implementation and monitoring of bilateral programmes between the two countries.

"JCM must play its role to coordinate and monitor projects implemented jointly by Malaysia and Brunei. We hope JCM will continue to be an active mechanism so that whatever agreed upon by the two governments and leaders to cooperate can be guaranteed of its speedy implementation and fruits of the success can be reaped early," he said.

Touching on border and maritime issues, the Malaysian prime minister said discussions regarding the issues are continuing at the senior officials level and would continue until an agreement was reached.

Asked why the issues were taking so long to be resolved, Abdullah said perhaps the details related to the issues must be ironed out first. "At this juncture, it is quite difficult to do so," he added.

The Malaysian premier is expected to attend a luncheon reception with the Malaysian community today.

Earlier, Dato' Abdullah was greeted upon arrival at the airport yesterday by Pehin Dato Hj Awg Abdul' Rahman, Minister of Education who was also the minister-in-attendance.

The Malaysian premier was accorded a red carpet welcome passing along static troops from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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