S’wak-Brunei ties will be nurtured, says Awang Tengah

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan together with Consul General of Negara Brunei Darusalam Pengiran Kartini Pengiran Tahir (sixth right), Datuk Snowdan Lawan (sixth left) and wife Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking (fifth left), Kamsani Noordin (fourth right) and Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Yonny Tri Prayitno (third right) cutting Brunei Darussalam’s 35th National Day cake, while others look on. Photos by RAMIDI SUBARI

KUCHING: The state government will continue with efforts to strengthen the bonds between Brunei Darulsalam and Malaysia.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said Sarawak in particular will continue to nurture its good relation with its neighbour to the north.

“I would suggest tourism or sporting events such as marathon, powerboat and cycling to be considered by including Limbang and Lawas as part of the locations for these events with the completion of the Temburong bridge soon.

Awang Tengah (right) and Kartini at Brunei Darussalam’s 35th National Day dinner reception.

“Brunei and Sarawak should co-organise these international events and hopefully, the districts of Temburong, Limbang and Lawas will soon be more vibrant and lively with these events,” he said.

“The relationship between Brunei and Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, is not just close, but uniquely close because the people very frequently have family ties among them. It is quite the same with government-to-government relationship,” said Awang Tengah who was representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“We thank the Brunei government for resuming the Royal Brunei Airline (RBA) flight from Bandar Seri Bagawan to Kuching. Hopefully, the resumption of the RBA service will make Kuching more accessible to other destinations within and outside the region,” he said.

RBA launched its direct flight from Brunei Darulsalam in December last year along with other destinations such as to Melbourne and London with transit at Brunei Airport.

Awang Tengah said that currently, there is a committee for bilateral cooperation consisting of members from Brunei and Sarawak to oversee cooperation in several areas.

Kartini (sixth right) and her husband Kamsani (fourth left) pose with guests at the Brunei Darussalam’s 35th National Day dinner reception.

Meanwhile, Consul General of Brunei Darulsalam in Kuching, Pengiran Kartini Pengiran Tahir, said the majority of Brunei citizens are appreciative of the understanding between Brunei and Malaysia.

She said Bruneians are especially very happy with the relationship enjoyed by their country and Sarawak.

“The good relationship between the two countries is because of the effort of the leaders in the state.

“And we hope it will be preserved and more cooperation and joint efforts between the country need to be done,” she said.