PM to meet Brunei’s sultan in palace fuel talks
One of the richest men in the world will host Anthony Albanese at the gold-studded royal palace of Brunei Darussalam; The prime minister is trying to boost Australia’s food exports to support long-term fuel supplies.
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, now the world’s longest-serving head of state, is expected to discuss the oil crisis caused by the war in the Middle East with Mr Albanese when the pair hold official talks on Wednesday.
Although Brunei is a smaller fuel producer than other countries in the region such as Singapore and Malaysia, Australia still imports 9 percent of its diesel, 11 percent of its crude oil and 11 percent of its fertilizer-grade urea from the tiny sultanate.
Australia is also a major food supplier to Brunei, providing nearly three-quarters of its meat imports in 2024.
Mr Albanese’s approach of focusing on what Australia brings to the table reflects his negotiations with other Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, where he is seeking priority access to fuel supplies by guaranteeing shipments of critical goods such as liquefied natural gas.
Alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the Prime Minister will also tour the Brunei Fertilizer Industry and meet director general Harri Kiiski as part of the government’s effort to secure long-term fertilizer stocks, which have also been affected by disruption to trade in the Middle East.
Mr Albanese touched down in Brunei on Tuesday afternoon and laid a wreath in memory of Australian soldiers who helped liberate much of the country, along with what was then British Borneo, from Japanese forces during the Second World War.
For Senator Wong, the visit is also emotional: The Malaysian-born politician lived in Borneo throughout his childhood and visited the monument.
The duo’s visit made the front pages of local newspapers, with the English-language Borneo Bulletin reporting a visit aimed at “strengthening energy and supply chain ties”.
Mr Albanese said it was a great honor to visit the country and meet the sultan, who lives in the world’s largest palace, which includes a private zoo with Bengal tigers, and has ruled the strict Muslim monarchy since 1967.
Her Majesty’s extraordinary net worth, reportedly running into tens of billions of dollars, is largely derived from Brunei’s oil industry.
“I look forward to meeting His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei and having the opportunity to strengthen the very constructive and positive relationship between our two nations,” Mr Albanese said in brief comments to reporters at the Muara Beach Memorial.
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