KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 – Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan undertook an official visit to Brunei on Thursday where he was granted an audience by Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) in its statement said during the audience Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Mohamad discussed bilateral and international matters of mutual interest.
“The Foreign Minister expressed his commitment to the strengthening of Malaysia-Brunei ties, including in trade and investment.
“On the international front, he reiterated that the conflict in Palestine is not just a religious issue but a universal humanitarian issue and called for all parties to take united and decisive action to stop the hostilities in Gaza,” said the statement.
According to Wisma Putra, during the official visit Mohamad also held a meeting with Brunei’s Minister of Foreign Affairs II Datuk Seri Erywan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mohd Yusof in which both ministers discussed the progress of the outcomes of the 24th Annual Leader’s Consultation, which was held on 3 August 2023 in Putrajaya.
Both parties also lauded the proposed launch of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in the second quarter of this year, which is aimed at promoting trade exchanges and enhancing the tourism sector in both countries, the statement added.
The Foreign Ministry said this was Mohamad’s first visit to Brunei since he assumed office in December 2023 and the official visit has further strengthened the longstanding bilateral relations between Malaysia and Brunei which celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
In 2023, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Brunei stood at US$2.04 billion (RM9.31 billion) and Brunei Darussalam was Malaysia’s 30th largest trading partner and 6th largest among ASEAN Member States, the statement added.
