BANGKOK, Aug 4 — Malaysia will seek the cooperation of Thailand to arrest criminals using the neighbouring country as a hideout to escape the law in Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the criminals escaped to Thailand to avoid the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment and Extension) 2013 (Poca) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota).
“We will flush out criminals, especially those involved in organised crimes who came to Thailand to hide and avoid the Poca and Pota.
“We will discuss with Thailand on the approach to curb cross-border crimes and arrest the criminals,” he told reporters upon his arrival here for a two-day working visit to Thailand.
Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister, said the issue of Malaysian criminals hiding in Thailand was one of five issues of focus in the visit starting today.
He said the second issue involved efforts to combat militant activities, especially those involving IS militants, who had made Thailand as their transit point to enter Malaysia.
“There are those (IS members) from Malaysia who made Thailand as their transit point to go to a third country,” he said.
As such, he said the efforts need to be intensified and would involve an exchange of intelligence and operational information between the security forces of the two countries.
The deputy prime minister said he would also inform the Thai side on the setting up of the Malaysian Border Security Agency (AKSEM) in place of the Smuggling Prevention Unit (UPP) to tighten control at the border, which he said, should be empowered by both countries.
Meanwhile, he said the issue on “Trafficking In Person” (TIP) would be discussed in his meeting with leaders of Thailand tomorrow. — Bernama
