Finally...Officially...

After a long time, tis is wat i'm waiting for:

Limbang officially part of Malaysia, Joniston Bangkuai reporting from Bandar Seri Begawan


BRUNEI has dropped its long-standing territorial claim on Limbang, Sarawak, that over the years had become a "thorn" to the otherwise close relations between the oil-rich sultanate and Malaysia.

This was among the key elements contained in an Exchange of Letters signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

The Exchange of Letters marked the successful conclusion of years of negotiations on outstanding bilateral issues.

"In the agreement (contained in the Exchange of Letters), issues related to Limbang have been resolved. Brunei has dropped the issue, which means Limbang is now part of Malaysia," Abdullah said.

Abdullah's meeting with Sultan Hassanal was a continuation of the annual consultation between the leaders of the two countries.

Accompanying Abdullah were his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Wisma Putra officials.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists before leaving for Kuala Lumpur after a two-day visit, Abdullah thanked the sultan and the government of Brunei for their cooperation in resolving the Limbang issue.

"The problem (Brunei's claim on Limbang) will no longer haunt the two countries, which can now enter into a new era of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields."

He said the resolution to the land and maritime boundary dispute had erased any suspicion or ill-feelings between the two countries.

A delighted Taib said Brunei and Sarawak could now look forward to closer ties and cooperation.

He said Brunei could benefit from the proposed dam at Sungai Limbang for power generation, water supply and activities related to food security.

"The proposed dam can be considered as a way of strengthening the ties between both countries."

A joint statement by the two leaders said they believed that the signing of the letters would pave the way for the development of strategic partnership and closer collaboration in all fields, especially trade and investment.

Other areas were energy and hydrocarbon resources, tourism, education, agriculture, infrastructure, banking, halal industry and people-to-people contacts with special focus on Sabah and Sarawak, it said.

SOME KEY POINTS IN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

• Modalities for final demarcation of land boundaries between Brunei and Malaysia

• Demarcation to be resolved on the basis of five existing historical agreements between the Brunei government and Sarawak government, and as appropriate, the watershed principle

• “Unsuspendable rights of maritime access” for Malaysian nationals and residents across Brunei’s maritime zones en route to and from their destinations in Sarawak, provided Brunei’s laws and regulations are observed

• Maritime delimitation, delimitation of territorial seas, continental shelf and the exclusive economic zones

• Setting up of Commercial Arrangement Area in oil and gas exploration