BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg accompanied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a one-day official visit to Brunei Darussalam on Saturday in conjunction with the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27).
The consultation was held at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan, bringing together the leadership and delegations of Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam for discussions on bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest.
The Sarawak Premier’s participation placed Sarawak among the Malaysian representatives attending the high-level engagement between the two neighbouring countries.
During the visit, Abang Johari witnessed the conferment of the Most Honourable Laila Utama Order of Merit (D.K.) on Anwar by Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
The investiture took place at Cheradi Laila Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman, where Anwar received the title of Dato’ Laila Utama. Brunei Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was also present for the ceremony.
Other Malaysian leaders attending the investiture included Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The Sarawak Premier later attended a ceremony for the witnessing of the signing and exchange of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at Baitul Mesyuarah, Istana Nurul Iman.
The signing ceremony featured several bilateral agreements and instruments covering areas of mutual interest between Malaysia and Brunei. The engagements were aimed at providing a framework for continued cooperation between the two countries.
The MoU ceremony formed part of the wider programme surrounding ALC-27, which serves as a platform for Malaysia and Brunei to review bilateral matters and discuss opportunities for closer cooperation.
Malaysia and Brunei share longstanding geographical, historical and people-to-people links. The relationship is also particularly significant for Sarawak and Sabah because of their proximity to Brunei and the movement of people and economic activity across Borneo.
For Sarawak, high-level engagement between Malaysia and Brunei has relevance to the state’s interests as a neighbouring territory.
Regular interaction between national and state leaders also provides opportunities for issues involving regional connectivity and cooperation to remain part of broader bilateral discussions.
The ALC-27 programme subsequently continued with an official banquet hosted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
The banquet brought together leaders and members of the Malaysian and Bruneian delegations in a more informal setting following the day’s official engagements.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for representatives from both countries to maintain personal and diplomatic ties, exchange views and strengthen longstanding relations.
Abang Johari’s presence throughout the programme reflected Sarawak’s participation in Malaysia’s engagement with Brunei at the leadership level.
His attendance at the investiture, MoU ceremony and official banquet formed part of the wider Malaysian delegation accompanying Anwar during the one-day visit.
ALC-27 provided another avenue for Malaysia and Brunei to maintain regular high-level dialogue and address matters of shared interest, while reaffirming the close relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
