BANGKOK, Jan 30 — Malaysia and Thailand on Friday pledged to solve a long standing problem of dual citizenship, and bloody violence in deep southern Thailand and on declining rubber prices, said a government spokesman.
The spokesman told a press conference that the pledge was made in a discussion between visiting Malaysia’s Defence Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein and Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House.
The talks covered several major issues including the current violence in southern Thailand where more than 5,000 people have lost their lives since the unrest was renewed 11 years ago.
The Thai government formed a committee to hold talks with the insurgency groups, according to the spokesman.
Formal talks have not started yet since the current caretaker government was established last September.
Urging the Malaysian government to look after Thai workers in Malaysia, Gen Prayut said his government would ask more Thai businessmen to invest in Malaysia and asked Kuala Lumpur to help resolve the problem on people holding dual citizenship, said the spokesman.
Gen Prayut also asked the Malaysian government to help build and improve land transportation connectivity. Concerned government agencies of the two countries would hold talks on the issue later.
As rubber prices continue declining, Gen Prayut proposed that Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as major rubber producers and exporters meet and find common ground in fixing rubber prices.
Malaysia Defence Minister Hishammuddin reportedly promised that he would inform the Malaysian prime minster and concerned government agencies of the proposal.
The spokesman said Gen Prayut praised the Malaysian prime minister in becoming ASEAN chairman for 2015.
Deputy Defence Minister/army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr later escorted Mr Hishammuddin to visit an orchid market set up near Government House.
Mr Hishammuddin is in Bangkok to attend the 52nd Thai-Malaysia General Border Committee meeting. (MCOT online news)
