REGIONAL BORDER COMMITTEE HELPS STABILISE MALAYSIA-THAI RELATIONS

LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia), July 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-Thailand
Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting has helped create stability in relations
between Malaysia and Thailand, as well as resolved many problems in the border
areas of both countries.

Army Field Commander Lt-Gen Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi said the
committee, established 46 years ago, met twice annually to discuss and resolve
border issues.

"We discussed matters of mutual interests and benefits to ensure peace and
stability in the border areas...the meeting focused on, among others,
joint-border operations, issues on smuggling, illegal fishing, human trafficking
and illegal immigrants," he told reporters at a joint media conference with his
Thai counterpart after the meeting here Wednesday.

Ahmad Hasbullah is the joint-chairman of the committee for Malaysia, while
the joint-chairman for Thailand is Commander Fourth Army Area Royal Thai Army,
Lieutenant General Pichate Wisaijorn.

Wisaijorn said the meeting had strengthened relationships between Malaysia
and Thailand.

"We see Malaysia as a friend. It's easy to deal with Malaysia and in the
near future it could be easier. Malaysia and Thailand has a good relationship,"
he added.

Meanwhile, a joint-statement which was issued after the meeting, stated that
the meeting proceeded in the spirit of cordiality, mutual understanding and good
camaraderie between both countries.

It said the objective of the meeting was to promote cooperation and to
ensure peace, security and stability at the border areas between the two
countries by resolving common problems and promoting matters of mutual
interests.

The meeting deliberated and noted with satisfaction the progress report of
activities undertaken during the period under review, from Feb 1 to July
20, 2010, it said.

It said the meeting also agreed to continue with their close cooperation and
to intensify efforts to restore peace and stability in the border areas.

The Working Group would concentrate more on exchange of information
particularly in every joint activity such as Joint Psychological Operations,
Joint Border Patrol, Coordinated Border Post and the three major exercises which
were held annually, it added.

It said these activities would further strengthen and enhance the existing
cooperation and close ties between both countries to ensure the security of the
environment along the common border.

Thailand will host the next RBC meeting, which will be the 95th, in January
next year.
-- BERNAMA