# Brunei–Malaysia relations

Brunei and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in 1984. Brunei has a high commission in Putrajaya, as well as consulate-generals in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Malaysia maintains a high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan. Both countries are full members of ASEAN and the Commonwealth of Nations. The two countries share a land border on the island of Borneo. Both countries are majority ethnic Malays and maintain excellent and close economic, cultural, political and defence ties.

## Country comparison

| Official Name | Brunei Darussalam | Federation of Malaysia |
| Common name | Brunei | Malaysia |
| Flag | | |
| Coat of Arms | | |
| Population | 460,345 | 32,730,000 |
| Area | 5,765 km$^2$ (2,226 sq mi) | 330,803 km$^2$ (127,724 sq mi) |
| Population Density | 72.11/km$^2$ (186.8/sq mi) | 92/km$^2$ (240/sq mi) |
| Time zones | 1 | 1 |
| Capital & largest city | Bandar Seri Begawan – 100,700 | Kuala Lumpur – 1,790,000 |
| Government | Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy | Federal parliamentary elective constitutional monarchy |
| Established | 17 September 1888 (Established as a protectorate by the British) 23 November 1971 (Self-government granted from the British Empire) 1 January 1984 (Independence from the British Empire proclaimed for Brunei) | 31 August 1957 (Independence from the British Empire proclaimed for the Federation of Malaya) 16 September 1963 (Proclamation of Malaysia) |
| Predecessor States | Medieval Kingdom Period (1368–1888) Sultanate of Brunei (1368–1888) British Colonial Period (1888–1984) Protectorate of Brunei (1888–1941; 1946–1984) Japanese Occupation Period (1942–1945) Occupied British Borneo (1942–1945) Interim Military Period (1945–1946) Military Administration of Borneo (1945–1946) Independent Period (1984–present) Brunei Darussalam (1984–present) | Portuguese Colonial Period (1511–1641) Portuguese Malacca (1511–1641) Dutch Colonial Period (1641–1825) Dutch Malacca (1641–1795; 1818–1825) British Colonial Period (1771–1946) Straits Settlements (1826–1946) Federated Malay States (1895–1946) Unfederated Malay States (1909–1946) Raj of Sarawak (1841–1946) Crown Colony of Labuan (1848–1946) British North Borneo (1881–1946) Japanese Occupation Period (1942–1945) Occupied Malaya (1942–1945) Occupied British Borneo (1942–1945) Si Rat Malai (1943–1945) Interim Military Period (1945–1946) Military Administration of Malaya (1945–1946) Military Administration of Borneo (1945–1946) Self–Government Period (1946–1963) Malayan Union (1946–1948) Federation of Malaya (1948–1963) Crown Colony of North Borneo (1946–1963) Crown Colony of Sarawak (1946–1963) Federation Period (1963–present) Federation of Malaysia (1963–present) |
| First Leader | Muhammad Shah (historical) Hassanal Bolkiah (de jure) | Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Monarch) Tunku Abdul Rahman (Prime Minister) |
| Head of State | Monarch: Hassanal Bolkiah | Monarch: Ibrahim |
| Head of Government | Prime Minister: Hassanal Bolkiah | Prime Minister: Anwar Ibrahim |
| Deputy Leader | Crown Prince: Al-Muhtadee Billah | Deputy Agong: Nazrin Shah of Perak |
| Legislature | Legislative Council (Unicameral) | Parliament (Bicameral) |
| Upper House | none | Senate President: Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah |
| Lower House | none | House of Representatives Speaker: Johari Abdul |
| Judiciary | High Court | Federal Court Chief Justice: Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat |
| Official language | Malay | Malay |
| National anthem | Allah Peliharakan Sultan (God Bless the Sultan) | Negaraku (My Country) |
| Currency | Brunei dollar (B$) | Malaysian ringgit (RM) |
| National carrier | Royal Brunei Airlines | Malaysia Airlines |
| International airport | Brunei International Airport | Kuala Lumpur International Airport |
| Public broadcasting | Radio Television Brunei | Radio Television Malaysia |
| GDP (nominal) | $13.002 billion ($30,933 per capita) | $800.169 billion ($25,833 per capita) |

## History

Relations between the two countries has been established since January 1984.

## Cultural links

Brunei and Malaysia have many similarities in culture especially in the East Malaysian areas as they were once a part of the Bruneian Empire. In 2011, around 61,470 Bruneians visited Malaysia while Brunei received 1,238,871 Malaysian tourists in 2013.

## Transport links

The states of Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia are connected to Brunei via the Pan Borneo Highway through the Brunei–Malaysia Friendship Bridge.

## Disputes

Before 2009, Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang was in dispute. Brunei and Malaysia agreed to cease gas and oil exploration in their disputed offshore and deep water seabeds until negotiations progressed into an agreement over allocation of disputed areas in 2003. In March 2009, it seemed a solution was achieved between the two governments when the Malaysian press reported that Brunei dropped all claims to Limbang, thus recognising it as a Malaysian territory. Brunei however immediately denied Malaysian press reports, saying the Limbang Question was never discussed during negotiations for the Exchange of Letters.