Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to work closely with Thailand on border security and advancing southern peace talks.
BANGKOK: Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Thailand to strengthen border security and advance the peace dialogue process in the southern border provinces, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Monday.
Sihasak said Malaysia regarded Thailand’s border security as being in its own security interest and was ready to provide full cooperation in addressing security challenges along the shared border.
“They (Malaysia) themselves have emphasised that this is important. This is an important point from the outset. Thailand is an ally and an important neighbour. Thailand’s security and border security are in Malaysia’s interests.
“Therefore, there is no need to worry. The Malaysian side is ready to fully cooperate with Thailand,” he said in an interview with Thai media, which was shared by the Thai Foreign Ministry on Monday.
Sihasak, who is on a two-day working visit to Malaysia from Sept 6, had earlier held discussions with Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and National Security Council (MKN) director-general Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin.
He said the two sides had agreed to enhance cooperation, particularly in intelligence sharing, joint patrols and coordination between their security agencies, highlighting that accurate and timely intelligence was crucial to support decision-making and combat cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking and other transnational criminal activities.
“We need to improve our intelligence, and I believe the Malaysian side also has its own intelligence. This could help make our intelligence more accurate, and they are willing to cooperate,” he said.
Sihasak said Thailand and Malaysia would also coordinate plans for security fencing along the border to avoid duplication and focus resources on sensitive and high-risk areas.
On Aug 22, a series of arson attacks was reported across Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, targeting government buildings, convenience stores, shops, vehicles and utility poles. The incidents left at least three people injured in Narathiwat.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
On the southern peace dialogue, Sihasak said Malaysia’s role as facilitator remained important, while the choice of an individual facilitator was ultimately Malaysia’s decision.
He said Thailand wanted a facilitator who understood the situation and was suitable for the role, stressing that the process needed the support of relevant Malaysian agencies.
“We want the dialogue process to make progress. But if the situation remains like this, with violence occurring, it will be difficult to hold talks,” he said.
Sihasak said both sides therefore needed to create a peaceful environment to enable the dialogue process to move forward.
He also said Malaysia had reaffirmed that it had no policy of allowing its territory to be used by groups seeking to undermine Thailand’s security.
Sihasak said sustainable security in the southern border provinces also depended on improving livelihoods and developing border areas.
He said both sides would also coordinate infrastructure and development projects, including roads, railways and bridges, to improve connectivity and ensure their initiatives complemented rather than duplicated each other.
