Malaysia, Thailand agree to expedite construction of second Sungai Golok-Rantau Panjang bridge

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to expedite the implementation of the Second Sungai Golok-Rantau Panjang Bridge, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to Bernama, he said this decision was made during a meeting with his Thai counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, following their joint working visit to the CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) Complex in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat today.

Additionally, Anwar mentioned that both countries have also decided to accelerate the development and cleaning of the Sungai Golok estuary, which will certainly help the people in southern Thailand and Kelantan address flood issues.

“When personal relations are good and relations between the two governments are strong, the benefits will reach the people,” he said in a brief speech at the Pasir Mas Land and District Office today.

The Prime Minister said further details on various issues discussed between the two leaders will be announced in a press conference later.

Anwar assured that Malaysia-Thailand relations would significantly improve under Srettha’s leadership.

He stated that Malaysia appreciates Srettha’s commitment to achieving peace resolutions and focusing on economic development in southern Thailand and northern Malaysia, specifically Kelantan.

“Thanks to the Thai Prime Minister; we previously met in Sadao and Bukit Kayu Hitam. Alhamdulillah, there has been progress. This is an important signal towards cooperation and achieving peace and development,” he said.

Meanwhile, Srettha, in his speech, noted that northern Malaysia and southern Thailand are blessed with natural resources and good relations between the two countries.

He mentioned that many issues were discussed today, such as the Sungai Golok bridge, which will facilitate economic development for both Malaysia and Thailand.

“We discussed the special economic zone that we will work on together. The foreign ministers will meet next week to discuss the next steps, which we hope can be implemented to develop halal food businesses and rubber plantations.

These are the main areas we are focusing on,” he said.