BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia and Brunei both want the immigration process between both nations to be simplified, with only one stamp each for entering and exiting the respective countries.
Both nations are keen to see this happen before the next Annual Leaders' Consultation (ALC).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, expressed his wish to see the process, which currently requires seven stamps each way, to be reduced to only once for entry and another for exit.
"We have discussed this for a long time and both parties agreed to settle this before the next ALC.
"We will propose a system that is easily applicable but still has security features required, in order to ease the movement of Malaysians to Brunei and vice versa."
Najib was speaking at a press conference with the Sultan of Brunei after the 21st ALC here today.
The prime minister also noted that Brunei has responded positively to Malaysia's proposal of a new route connecting Bandar Seri Begawan to Limbang, Sarawak.
"This new route will minimise travelling time but we will also maintain the existing route to Miri.
"The Sultan of Brunei is also looking forward to the Pan Borneo Highway completion," he said.
Meanwhile, Najib said he and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also spoke on continued cooperation in the defence sector.
"Brunei is currently an observer to the trilateral cooperation (for defence) between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
"I hope Brunei will consider becoming a full partner in this effort, which they say they will consider," added Najib.
During the meet, a memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation was signed. Two framework agreements for unitisation of oil fields was also formalised between both sides.
In a joint statement by both nations, the Brunei National Unitisation Secretariat and Petronas have finalised the framework for unitisation arrangements for both (i) Kinabalu West NAG and Maharajalela North Fields; and (ii) Gumusut/Kakap and Geronggong/Jagus-East fields.
Both leaders also touched on ongoing discussions between Malaysia and Brunei to pave way for an MoU on maritime cooperation.
Najib said they also spoke on demarcation and land boundary survey efforts between both nations, where progress had been affected due to the limitation of manpower on the ground to carry out the work.