MALAYSIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TOWARDS ACTION PLAN

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has reaffirmed its
continued commitment towards the successful implementation of the
Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Strategy (JDS) for Border Areas action plan.


The Foreign Ministry's Secretary-General, Rastam Mohd Isa, said the JDS was
significant in the spirit of partnership for the prosperity and well-being of
the people living along the border areas.

"The JDS has so far brought benefits to the peoples of Malaysia and
Thailand, and there is an excellent show of continuous commitment by both
countries.

"This could be seen through the cooperation in the 3Es concept (education,
employment and entrepreneurship). This example serves as a testimony of a
fruitful cooperation in developing cross-border human capital," he said in his
opening remarks at the 5th Senior Officials' Meeting of the JDS for Border
Areas, here Wednesday.

Rastam said Wednesday's meeting was a significant development as both
countries moved forward to a higher plane of bilateral cooperation.

He said the JDS not only depended on the continuous support and commitment
of both governments towards implementing the projects and activities of the JDS
but also the contribution of community leaders, business people, academicians
and the media.

"Activities based on culture and the promotion of people-to-people relations
remain vital as these will further promote confidence and trust as well as
facilitate peace and stability," he said.

Rastam believed that it was timely that programmes which had been in the
pipeline be materialised immediately to ensure the JDS achieved its goals.

Later, when delivering remarks at the Senior Officials' Meeting of the
Eleventh Meeting of the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral
Cooperation, Rastam said Malaysia and Thailand had always maintained good
neighbourly relations in all matters at all times.

He said one of the important issues on the agenda of the meeting was the
cooperation on confidence-building measures in southern Thailand.

"Malaysia is ready to lend its hand to Thailand in whatever way and area the
Thai government feels appropriate that will help to improve the situation," he
said.

Rastam said Malaysia was ready and willing to share its knowledge and
expertise in the field of education, syariah law and economic development.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman is expected to deliver his keynote remarks at
the meeting Thursday.
-- BERNAMA