The Limbang Question Lingers On
The territory's curious status is the result of an unresolved border dispute between Malaysia and Brunei that dates back to the British colonial era.
In Brunei, young residents often visit Limbang in neighboring Malaysia to enjoy chicken wings and beer. Limbang is located just a few kilometers from Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Despite an unresolved border dispute in the area, Bruneians and Malaysians can freely travel back and forth between the two countries. As part of ASEAN, cross-border travel doesn't require visas.
Limbang also serves as a bridge between Brunei and Sarawak, as many people living in Temburong, Brunei's eastern district, commute daily to Bandar Seri Begawan for work. To travel within Sarawak, they must pass through Limbang. For foreign travelers, the border crossings and immigration stamps can be confusing. The current state of Limbang's status is due to an unresolved border dispute dating back to the British colonial era.
Negotiations over the border demarcation were recently discussed during the 27th Annual Leaders' Consultation in Bandar Seri Begawan. After their meeting, both Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the 2009 Exchange of Letters, the 2012 boundary memorandum, and its Terms of Reference. They also directed the two sides to resolve Sector F-G, which includes Limbang, solely through the watershed principle, before completing the survey and demarcation by May 31, 2027.
Written by urgent.news from The Diplomat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
