MALAYSIAN, THAI CUSTOMS JOINT FORCES TO CURB SUGAR SMUGGLING

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), Aug 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian and Thai customs
departments are joining forces at the border to curb sugar smuggling into
Thailand, said Royal Thai Consulate General in Kota Baharu Surapon Petch-Vra.

He said the initiative started since the sugar shortage issue came to light
in Malaysia.

"This is not the first time that our customs departments are joining forces
in enforcement, in fact there have been several such cooperations prior to
this," he told Bernama here.

He was commenting on the sugar shortage in several states in Malaysia
including northern states of Perlis and Kedah, and northeast state of Kelantan.

Due to the shortage, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Aug 3 that the government would not allow the export
of sugar by land.

Surapon said the cooperation would enhance further the bilateral relations
between the two countries.

"We are also cooperating with other Malaysian enforcement agencies to tackle
the smuggling of goods," he said.
-- BERNAMA