KUCHING: A special travel pass to Brunei Darussalam is currently being discussed between the Malaysian Government and the neighbouring country to facilitate cross-border travel, particularly for people from Sarawak and Sabah.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said discussions between Malaysia and Brunei have already identified a mechanism, which will be announced in due course.

According to him, a preliminary agreement has been reached between the two nations to pave the way for smoother entry into Brunei through the introduction of the special pass.

“We held discussions between Malaysia and Brunei on cross-border movement, and it seems a mechanism is already in place, which will be announced later. For now, both sides have reached an agreement.

“This is necessary as we often travel back and forth to Brunei. Malaysia has therefore initiated talks to establish seamless travel with a valid pass, possibly for a period of two to three months, to facilitate entry from Sarawak into Brunei,” he said.

He told reporters after officiating at the Sheikh Othman Sarawak Chair Conference 2025 held at the Sarawak Islamic Complex, here on Wednesday.

Also present were Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, President of the Sarawak Islamic Council, Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Mufti, Datu Kipli Yasin, Director of the Sarawak Islamic Department (JAIS), Mual Suaud, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships Affairs) Professor Ts Dr Faizal Mohamed, along with other distinguished guests.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that the pass will also benefit Sabahans, given the state’s shared border with Brunei.

Earlier, Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim through a Facebook post shared details of his meeting with the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, where they discussed border matters as well as commercial cooperation covering the energy sector, maritime affairs, trade, and investment.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Premier also highlighted ongoing cooperation with Brunei in the energy sector.

“Secondly, we will be supplying electricity to Brunei via a 275-kilovolt (KV) grid connection linking Tudan to Kuala Belait,” he said. -UKASnews