Clear commitment from Thailand to enhance bilateral relations, says Anwar

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: There is clear commitment from Thailand towards enhancing bilateral relations with Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is committed to enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.

“So it is up to us to respond because I have not seen in the recent past such an effective collaboration.

“This is because of a clear political commitment to ensure that all decisions are speedily resolved.

“He is a good friend and he is committed to this relationship,” he said at a press conference held at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine & Security (ICQS) Complex on Monday (Nov 27).

Anwar was on a working visit to Thailand to discuss bilateral cooperation with his counterpart Srettha.

Anwar said although there has always been good relations between the two countries, he (Srettha) is positive and wants to speed things up.

“I have been given two weeks to complete and make final decisions on issues and plans which have not been resolved in the past.

“If some of them cannot be resolved in the next two weeks, the latest will be at the end of February 2024,” he said.

Anwar shared that his Thai counterpart went into details about his plans and suggestions, even going as far as to say that as Phuket has done extremely well on an international level, he has asked their Tourism Minister to share the ideas that can be implemented in Langkawi to create synergy.

“This is rare to see someone want to offer their experience and expertise.

“We will share our insight with him and he will share his with us which will have a positive impact on both countries,” he said.

Anwar said their meeting earlier in the day was focused on the growth as well as construction and enhancement of activities around this border (Bukit Kayu Hitam – Sadao) that will benefit the northern region here and Thailand.

The visit, held at the invitation of Srettha aims to review the progress of the road alignment project connecting the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) checkpoint in Malaysia and the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Thailand.

Both leaders visited the meeting point of the road alignment project connecting the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS and Sadao CIQ, a project being implemented by Malaysia and Thailand.