BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is expected to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad next week in Putrajaya for talks.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the meeting coincided with Sultan Hassanal's visit to Malaysia for the 22nd Annual Leadership Consultative meeting on March 5.
“The Sultan has expressed close relationship with the PM and will meet with him in Putrajaya...,” she said, after attending a dinner gathering with Malaysians at Hotel Rizqun Internasional on Tuesday.
Earlier in the morning, Wan Azizah met with Sultan Hassanal to further state Malaysia’s policies under the Pakatan Harapan administration as part of her two-day work visit to the oil-rich country.
“I also shared my view with the Sultan that the relationship between Malaysia and Brunei is currently at its best stage…Several new proposals in the field of economic and trade that are benefiting both nations were also raised.
“Such is to create cooperation between the business chambers and commerce of both Malaysia and Brunei,” she said, noting that Malaysia aims to increase its 20 per cent of trade between Asean to 30 per cent.
During the meeting, Wan Azizah also took the opportunity to extend the Malaysian government’s appreciation over Brunei’s RM1.4 million contribution channeled in 2014 to assist flood victims in Kelantan.
She also congratulated Brunei for being selected as the ‘Capital of the Islamic Culture’ at Muscat, Oman in 2015 and highlighted Malaysia’s role in assisting Rohingya refugees.
Speaking on her meeting with Brunei's Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Aminuddin Ihsan, Wan Azizah said both of them discussed about increasing the cooperation between women and youth of the two countries.
“We also discussed proposals to enhance cooperation in social protection and exchanged ideas on best practices for policies that can help the senior citizens and the elderly. This also includes efforts that have and can be implemented to assist in preparing women to participate in labour market.
“I have also offered cooperation from Malaysia to assist Brunei in efforts relating to rehabilitation for special needs group and efforts to combat cybercrime, especially involving the protection of children,” she said.
Meanwhile, during the dinner gathering with 450 Malaysians ranging from professionals, business players, and students, Wan Azizah called on them to contribute towards the country’s development.
“If they can provide their expertise, we welcome them. However, I’m not asking them to come back because they are stable here. What is important is they contribute and share ideas that can bring better development to the country.” she said.