Who got it all wrong? Was it Bernama, the Malaysian delegation or just the printer's ghost?
To further add to the confusion, parliament's Deputy Speaker was reported in 'The Borneo Post' as praising Sarawak's Chief Minister for playing a major crucial role in the outstanding Limbang settlement in Brunei...
I can imagine all the many red faces around when Brunei categorically denied dropping its claim or ever mentioning the subject in the discussions with Malaysia. In fact, the country's widest selling daily, 'The Borneo Bulletin' claimed that its reporters were denied entry into the press briefing by the Malaysians!
Here's 'The Borneo Bulletin' dated 16/3/09 story:
Brunei denies Limbang story
By Azlan Othman
Pehin Lim
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, yesterday said claims on Limbang were never discussed during Monday's deliberations between Brunei and Malaysia.
He was responding to YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa bin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin's query on the contents of the "Letter of Exchange" signed between Brunei and Malaysia, which also touched on Brunei's claims over Limbang at the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.
Pehin Lim said there were certain press reports yesterday claiming that Brunei has dropped claims over Limbang.
"In actual fact, the claim on Limbang was never discussed. What was discussed was the demarcation of land boundaries on the whole," he said.
"The joint press statement issued yesterday mentioned that the demarcation of the land boundaries between the two countries will be resolved on the basis of five existing historical agreements between the Government of Brunei and the State of Sarawak, and, as appropriate, the watershed principle.
"After that a working group comprising general surveyors of the two countries will follow with the technical aspect to solve the land border issue," Pehin Lim added.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi held a four-eye meeting at the Istana Nurul Iman on Monday and signed the Exchange of Letters to mark the successful conclusion of negotiations.
The negotiations have been ongoing for many years on outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries with regard to historical, legal and other relevant criteria involving both sides.
Both noted the agreement of their respective governments on the key elements contained in the Exchange of Letters, which included the final delimitation of maritime boundaries between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, the establishment of Commercial Agreement Area (CAA) on oil and gas, the modalities for the final demarcation of the land boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia and unsuspendable rights of maritime access for nationals and residents of Malaysia across Brunei's maritime zones en route to and from their destination in Sarawak, Malaysia provided that Brunei's laws and regulations are observed.
Meanwhile, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan, the Minister of Home Affairs, said an allocation has been made in the budget to upgrade the Kuala Lurah Control Post.
After the border issue between Brunei and Malaysia is resolved, work will be carried out to identify the site.
He was responding to a query by YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa on the long queues that border hoppers normally experience during school holidays, Hari Raya and other public holidays and the need to upgrade Pandaruan ferry services and Puni Control Post in Temburong.
YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa added that the opening of a new bridge soon in Trusan, Lawas will further aggravate the situation should these control post projects are not carried out.
Okay...okay by popular demand... here's the boozo report by Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency:
Brunei Drops Territorial Claim Over Limbang
From Hafizah Kamaruddin BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 16 (Bernama) — Brunei has officially dropped its long-standing territorial claim over Limbang, a northern division in Sarawak, marking a new era in the bilateral relations between both countries, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The prime minister said the matter was part of the historic Letters of Exchange (LoE) inked between him and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, which formalised the solution to the long-standing Malaysia-Brunei boundary issues, at the Istana Nurul Iman here Monday.
“It has been stated in the LoE that Brunei has dropped the issue and this means that Limbang is part of Malaysia,” he told a news conference with Malaysian journalists before heading home at the end of his two-day visit to the sultanate.
3 comments:
Ehem.. according to credible and reliable sources.. this is what may have happened for Pak Lah to claim Limbang belongs to us the other day:-
Pak Lah : So whats new in Brunei ?
Rais Yatim :The redemarcation of the Malaysia-Brunei border will be carried out to resolve various border issues, including that of Limbang.
Pak Lah : On their side or ours ?
Rais Yatim : *sighing* NO,Limbang was not mentioned in the documents. It was the perception that when the matter of the five agreements are resolved, the issue of Limbang will also be resolved .
Pak Lah : Huh ???
Rais Yatim : the issue of Limbang would be regarded as resolved once the exchange of border agreements signed by both countries was finalised.
Pak Lah : OK, whatever, I am tired and need to take a snooze.
Rais Yatim : errr before you doze off, I have dropped my travel claims for the Brunei trip in your in-tray, please sign it,
Bimbanglah, saya dah tak ada duit ni (worried that I am low on cash)
Pak Lah : zzzzzzz whaa? mmmmm ok ok.
# Pak Lah misinterpreted "Bimbang"(worried) as Limbang hazily with the words "dropped " and "claims".
The next day he announced to the press "Brunei has dropped claims over Limbang"
Haha! I like your sense of humor!
haha! It's a joke by a friend. I'm just sharing it hehe
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