Brunei, Malaysia aim to settle land border by 2034: MFA

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei continues to carry out demarcation work on its land border with Malaysia, with roughly 33% of the work completed as of August 2024, the second minister of foreign affairs said on Tuesday.

Speaking during a meeting of the Legislative Council, Dato Hj Erywan Yusof said approximately 175.96km out of 528.45km (the total distance of the entire land boundary) has been marked and measured.

“Both Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia are committed to expediting the survey and demarcation of land borders, focusing on priority areas, including from Sungai Tujoh to Pegalayan Channel; from Bebuloh to Bukit Gadong; and from Bukit Gadong to Kuala Menunggol,” the minister said.

“Although some areas have been measured and demarcated, they remain tentative. The finalisation of the border will only take place once the entire process is completed and mutually agreed upon by both parties,” he added.

The minister was responding to a question from Legislative Council member Amran Hj Maidin, who asked for an update on the determination of national borders with Malaysia.

While under British control, Brunei and Sarawak signed five boundary agreements between 1920 and 1939, delimiting roughly half of their land boundary. Sarawak then joined Malaysia in 1963, while Brunei gained independence in 1984.

In 2009, the two governments completed an exchange of letters, confirming the validity of their previous boundary agreements. A 2012 memorandum of understanding was then signed to begin the official boundary demarcation and land survey of the remaining undefined portions of the frontier.

In August 2024, two key documents were signed related to the land boundary: the exchange of notes at the ministerial level, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to expedite demarcation in priority areas; and the Phase One Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, which outlines the areas where land demarcation has been completed, namely Belait, Tutong, Temburong, and the Brunei Bay.

In the Phase One MoU, both countries agreed to complete all land demarcation and survey work by 2034.

“[We] will continue to work closely with Malaysia to ensure both nations adhere to the agreed timeframe and complete the entire land border demarcation process by 2034,” Dato Hj Erywan said.