Malaysia, Brunei Reaffirm Commitment To Finalise Sector F-G Demarcation, Survey By May 2027
PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Brunei on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to finalise the demarcation and survey of Sector F-G by May 2027, based solely on the watershed principle.
The commitment was made in a joint statement released after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah held discussions in conjunction with the 26th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC).
The ALC is the highest bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and Brunei, serving as a platform for both leaders to review the progress of existing cooperation, discuss current issues and exchange views on regional and international matters of mutual interest.
According to the joint statement, Anwar and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah unequivocally reaffirmed their commitment to the 2009 Exchange of Letters (EOL), the Memorandum of Understanding on the Process for the Joint Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary signed in March 2012, and its annexed Terms of Reference.
“These binding instruments clearly stipulate that any undelimited or undemarcated land boundary between the two countries will be resolved based on the existing five Land Boundary Agreements, and that in areas where no such agreements exist as yet, both countries shall negotiate solely based on the watershed principle,” it said.
The leaders also recalled the 2024 Exchange of Notes (EON) on making joint progress in Sector F-G, which was signed at the 25th Annual Leaders’ Consultation on Aug 26, 2024, in Bandar Seri Begawan.
They further noted the outcomes of the Special Joint Brunei-Malaysia Land Boundary Committee on Sector F-G held on May 8, 2025, as well as discussions during the 4th Meeting of the Joint Land Boundary Committee on July 14, 2025, in Bandar Seri Begawan.
In this regard, the leaders reiterated both countries’ commitment to jointly determine a single watershed and complete the demarcation and survey of the sector by May 31, 2027, in line with the 2024 EON.
The leaders also expressed satisfaction with the commitment and hard work of the Joint Technical Committee on the Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary, noting significant progress achieved since 2012, with 214.638 kilometres, or 41 per cent of the land boundary, already demarcated and surveyed.
“Recognising the need to maintain momentum, and with joint demarcation and survey works scheduled for completion in Sector E-F by 2025, Sector A-B by 2026 and Sector F-G by 2027 as outlined in the 2024 EON, both leaders agreed in principle that consideration could be given to a MoU on Phase Two of the Joint Demarcation and Survey of the Land Boundary, aimed at achieving 66 percent of the total land boundary by 2028,” the statement read.
Earlier, both leaders witnessed the exchange of an MoU on health cooperation between Malaysian Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and his Bruneian counterpart, Dr Mohammad Isham Jaafar.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived in Malaysia on Monday for a three-day State Visit at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. The Brunei ruler was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Prince Abdul Mateen Bolkiah, Cabinet Ministers, and senior government officials.
On Tuesday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was accorded a state welcome at Istana Negara, followed by a meeting with the King and a State Banquet.
Brunei is Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner in ASEAN, with total trade amounting to RM7.53 billion (USD1.77 billion) in 2024.
Between January and June this year, Malaysia-Brunei trade reached US$690 million (RM3.02 billion), comprising exports of US$500 million (RM2.18 billion) and imports of US$190 million (RM840 million).
-- BERNAMA
