HATYAI, March 25 — The influx of illegal immigrants into Malaysia was one of the main topics discussed at a dialogue between government officials of Kedah and Songkhla province in southern Thailand yesterday.

Bukit Kayu Hitam assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar said the Thai authorities should take immediate steps to stop illegals from crossing into Malaysia.

“Thai authorities should not neglect their responsibility of preventing illegals from entering Malaysia just because some of them are only passing through Thailand,” he said.

The governor of Songkhla province Thumrong Chareankul chaired the meeting held at the Songkhla Municipal Council building here.

Kedah state executive councillor Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain led the Malaysian delegation.

Also present was Malaysian Consul-General in Songkhla Mohd Faizal Razali, Kedah Immigration Department director Mohammad Yusri Hashim and Kedah Road and Transport Department director Shahrul Azhar Mat Dali.

Zaini also proposed to the Thai authorities to do away with the requirement for Malaysians living along the border to fill up a white card if they entered the Thai side.

He said Malaysians who had relatives on the other side of the border had to fill up the cards each time they entered Thailand, but Thai nationals need not stamp their border passes each time they entered Malaysia.

He said they had to get their travel document endorsed just once even if they entered Malaysia 10 times a day.

He also asked the Thai authorities to stop the 400 vans transporting workers and passengers daily into Malaysia.

Zaini said it was unfair to Malaysian taxi drivers or tour operators as the Thai vans need not apply for a permit or licence to ferry passengers.

He urged Malaysian authorities to introduce vehicle entry permits similar to those in Singapore to gain revenue from vehicles entering Malaysia.

Thumrong pledged to take action to resolve the problems and hoped to have frequent meetings to discuss urgent matters.