Malaysia currently only has a VTL with Singapore, with strong demand for tickets from the six airlines and two bus operators offering the quarantine-free travel scheme.

Malaysia is also eyeing VTLs with Indonesia and Thailand.

In a statement today, Wisma Putra said both Ismail and his counterpart would take stock of the two countries’ ongoing collaborations in various fields and will seek to further enhance post-Covid-19 cooperation during the prime minister’s Feb 14-15 visit.

“This, among others, would include discussions on the proposed establishment of the VTL arrangement by air, cooperation on health diplomacy, and promotion of closer economic cooperation,” said Wisma Putra.

Malaysia is a favourite destination for Bruneian tourists due to its close proximity, favourable currency exchange and the ease of access to halal food.

Bruneians spent RM3.5 billion in Malaysia in 2019 before travel between the two countries was curtailed during the pandemic.

Tourism Malaysia had previously set a target of 1.5 million tourist arrivals from Brunei in 2020.