Malaysia, Brunei Eye Completion Of Pan Borneo Highway To Boost Connectivity, Economic Integration

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Brunei are looking forward to the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway to further strengthen regional connectivity and create greater opportunities for tourism and broader economic collaboration between Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.

This was highlighted in a joint statement released after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah held discussions in conjunction with the 26th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC) here today.  

The statement said that the leaders acknowledged the cooperation between Unified National Network (Brunei Darussalam) and Sacofa (Sarawak) to enter a new seven-year agreement in 2026, on the bandwidth leasing model in the telecommunication sector through a business-to-business arrangement.

“The leaders underlined the importance of connectivity between Brunei Darussalam and the states of Sabah and Sarawak, as the foundation for closer economic integration and people-to-people exchanges, and welcomed efforts by the Government of Brunei Darussalam and Royal Brunei (RB) in enhancing air connectivity to the states of Sabah and Sarawak,” the statement read.

Both leaders also lauded the Memorandum of Cooperation between RB and the Sabah Tourism Board, signed on June 30 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, aimed at boosting the tourism sectors as well as expanding connectivity to key regions. 

This includes Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), ASEAN, the Middle East, Oceania, the United Kingdom and India by 2028.

“The leaders also welcomed the improved connectivity through the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge, which enhances land access and facilitates cross-border trade and movement,” the statement said.

Anwar and Sultan Hassanal noted the ongoing negotiations on a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Brunei Darussalam and Sabah to enable Sabahan students to pursue higher education in Brunei Darussalam. 

“They welcomed this initiative towards developing closer educational collaboration and looked forward to its early conclusion,” the joint statement said.

It said the leaders also welcomed the signing of the MoU on health cooperation during the 26th ALC earlier today.

“They underscored their shared commitment to strengthening health collaboration in the areas of pharmaceuticals, health security, medical treatment, non-communicable diseases and digital health,” the statement read.

Both leaders acknowledged the establishment of a Joint Committee under the MoU on cooperation in the field of transport signed on Aug 26, 2024, in Bandar Seri Begawan.

“Both leaders looked forward to the inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee scheduled to be held in the fourth quarter of 2025,” the statement added.

-- BERNAMA