BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to resolve pending issues at the border checkpoints in Sadao and Bukit Kayu Hitam in the next two weeks.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was agreed during a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Srettha Thavisin in Sadao today.
"Firstly, we have agreed on improving the traffic flow at the border checkpoints. If we look at Sadao border checkpoint, part of the work moved faster than on our side, despite the fact that we began work on our ICQS Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam earlier than Thailand.
"The one that is still pending is roadworks that have to be completed as soon as possible. However, it is taking a little bit of time since the road alignment overlaps with Army territory.
"We have to negotiate and we wish to reach an agreement within two weeks. I don't want this to be further delayed because the new Thai administration is showing a more accommodative and friendlier way to turn southern Thai and northern Malaysia as a new economic growth area," he said in a press conference at the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security Complex here today.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nantha Linggi, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Home Ministry deputy minister Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Earlier, Anwar and his delegation had a bilateral meeting with Strettha before visiting the Sadao Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex at the invitation of his counterpart.
Anwar said both governments had agreed to allow tour vehicles from both countries to drive a certain distance within their own territories.
"On our recent approval for vehicle movement from Thailand between both countries, it has to be based on reciprocity principle in international relations.
"For example, if Thailand is asking for their vehicles to be allowed to travel up to Penang, our vehicles also will have to be allowed to travel a similar distance.
"It has been agreed upon, but we will finish the details through negotiation. I want this situation handled in two weeks, and then I want the note to be given over to the Thai side for response, which the Thai side is also doing.
"Otherwise these talks are not going to be resolved. If we are serious about developing this region and benefit the people, this has to be expedited," he said.
Anwar also reiterated Malaysia's commitment to facilitate the ongoing peace talks between the Thai authorities and the separatist movement.
"There is a minor tension in southern Thailand. Although it is an internal matter, we are responsible to extend our cooperation in order to ease the tension by asking for assurance on the southern Thai community's freedom to practise their religions, cultural freedom, as well as language subjected to Thai's laws and regulations.
"I observed the Thai prime minister's willingness to find solutions seriously; we will maintain our position as the principal facilitator under the direction of Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin," he said.
On a related matter, Anwar said both prime ministers had also agreed that the joint task force between both countries to be more proactive in holding talks to resolve bilateral issues.
He added that both governments had agreed that the joint task force committees concerning investment, tourism, agriculture and food security and security would meet regularly.
"We have decided that the committees should not wait for the annual meeting between the prime minister of Thailand and Malaysia.
"The four committees on investment, tourism, agriculture and food security, to be led by respective ministers from both countries will have the meetings more frequently," he said.
Anwar also announced that the Thai government had also agreed to the proposed construction of a bridge connecting Rantau Panjang in Kelantan to Sungai Golok in Narathiwat.
"The (Thailand) PM has agreed to begin the project latest by next year, subject to the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) approval and in an effort to expedite the process.
"I will inform this development to Kelantan Menteri Besar to expedite the process," he said.
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#kw Bukit Kayu Hitam, Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, border checkpoints, Sadao, issues, two weeks
