BANGKOK: Malaysia has reaffirmed its stand that the insurgency in southern Thailand is the country's internal issue.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia respected the cardinal principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of its neighbours.

Speaking at the 48th Malaysia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) meeting here yesterday, Najib said Malaysia's offer of assistance was conveyed to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during Samak's visit in March.

"It must be seen in the context of helping our close neighbour to overcome its problems, and not be misconstrued," he said at the meeting co-chaired by Samak, who is also the country's defence minister.

Najib said the Malaysian government was willing to share its experience in dealing with threats from militants and extremist groups with Thailand.
"As an immediate and concerned neighbour, we are committed to give any form of assistance to curb any problem, especially in border areas."

Also present at the meeting were Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal Nor, his Thai counterpart General Boonsarng Niempradit, as well as top officials from the police, foreign ministries, Customs and Survey departments.

At a press conference later, Samak said the meeting did not discuss new measures to jointly tackle the insurgency, but several agencies were asked to submit progress reports on the ongoing cooperation.

Asked if there were any arrests of Thai insurgency leaders fleeing to Malaysia, Samak said it was not brought up during the meeting, but added that the issue of dual nationality was discussed.

"We did touch on dual nationality. We should look into the details as we realise there are problems with dual nationality," said Samak, who thanked the Malaysian government for its continued assistance in the matter.

More than 3,300 people have died since separatists resumed their campaign in January 2004 to seek independence for the three Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani.

Najib said he raised the issues of rising oil prices and shortage of food products and their impact on the lifestyle and consumption behaviour of the citizens of both countries.

"More importantly, in our context, these developments are likely to result in a second-tier effect of increased smuggling and transborder criminal activities."

With regard to reports of increased oil smuggling to Thailand because of the cheaper price in Malaysia, Najib said he had asked for greater cooperation from the Thais to address the problem.

"We hope, with greater cooperation from Thailand and increased vigilance on our side, appropriate measures can be taken to reduce the smuggling of oil and other things."

The restructuring of fuel prices in Malaysia had reduced the price gap between the two countries, said Najib, but the price difference was still creating problems.

Currently, the petrol price in Thailand is around 45 baht (about RM4.50) per litre and many analysts have predicted that it could touch the 50 baht mark by September. -- Bernama