PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to further strengthen ties between the Federal Government and the governments of Sabah and Sarawak based on mutual respect and trust.
Anwar said preparations for the upcoming Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu were among the issues discussed during a breakfast meeting with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in Bandar Seri Begawan on Saturday.
Abang Johari and Hajiji were in Brunei as part of the Malaysian delegation to the 27th Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC-27).
Anwar said the leaders also exchanged views on several recent developments, while focusing on efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Federal Government, Sarawak and Sabah for the benefit of the people and more equitable and balanced development.
“We also exchanged views on several latest developments, while focusing on efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Federal Government, Sarawak and Sabah for the well-being of the people and more equitable and balanced development,” he said in a Facebook post.
“God willing, the close relationship between the Federal Government under my leadership and the governments of Sarawak and Sabah will continue to be strengthened on the basis of mutual respect and trust.”
The MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting is scheduled to take place in Kota Kinabalu in the coming weeks, with discussions expected to cover matters relating to the implementation of the agreement and Federal-state cooperation.
The meeting with the two state leaders comes amid continued efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen coordination with Sabah and Sarawak on development and matters linked to MA63.
At ALC-27, Malaysia and Brunei also agreed in principle to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries, including by addressing immigration issues, while calling on the Federal-level technical committee, in cooperation with Sabah and Sarawak, to expedite the relevant processes.
Anwar arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday for a two-day working visit in conjunction with ALC-27. - August 23, 2026
