PUTRAJAYA, 21 Jan 2019:
Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to extend the operation hours at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Bukit Kayu Hitam and CIQ Sadao from 18 to 24 hours for a three-month trial period beginning April 2019, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
The agreement was reached during the meeting of Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Saturday. Saifuddin led the Malaysian delegation to Bangkok Thailand for his first official visit.
Wisma Putra said both leaders also agreed the extension of operating hours would focus on heavy vehicles and cargoes in a joint press conference held at Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok.
“This decision (extending of operation hours) was made as a follow-up agreement that was reached between the prime ministers of both countries during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to Bangkok in October last year,” the statement said.
Saifuddin and Pramudwinai also discussed a number of bilateral issues of mutual interest, as well as regional and global issues of common concern.
“They also discussed on improving connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand, which continues to be a priority for Malaysia. With good and enhanced infrastructure, as well as seamless border connectivity, this initiative would facilitate trade across the border between Malaysia and Thailand,” the statement said.
On sustainable development, which is also Thailand’s main focus for its Asean chairmanship this year, Wisma Putra added both Foreign Ministers acknowledged the importance of sustainable development agenda, and are committed to working together to realise this.
Malaysia has actively undertaken the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals which had already been embedded in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), the ministry said.
Prior to the official visit, Saifuddin also attended the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, hosted by Thailand Jan 17 to 18 in Chiang Mai.
– Bernama