Brunei has a high commission in Putrajaya, as well as consulate-generals in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.Both countries are majority ethnic Malays and maintain excellent and close economic, cultural, political and defence ties.[5] Brunei and Malaysia have many similarities in culture especially in the East Malaysian areas as they were once a part of the Bruneian Empire.[6] The states of Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia are connected to Brunei via the Pan Borneo Highway through the Brunei–Malaysia Friendship Bridge.[9] Brunei however immediately denied Malaysian press reports, saying the Limbang Question was never discussed during negotiations for the Exchange of Letters.