Formation of Malaysia-Thailand task forces will help boost Malaysia's agriculture, tourism

KUALA LUMPUR - The formation of several task forces between Malaysia and Thailand is a timely move to boost agricultural cooperation and promote tourism in both countries.

Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (PeSAWAH) Special Functions exco Abdul Rashid Yob said through the establishment of the task forces, Malaysia would be able to gain knowledge, be open to new ideas, learn from Thai experts, and explore new technologies that can be brought in to help the country's agriculture sector.

"Thailand is more advanced than us in the agricultural sector, but we have the advantage in terms of infrastructure, so it must be balanced...otherwise all of these efforts will be in vain.

"Especially in rice cultivation, where Malaysia is falling behind Thailand...we can work together through the technology and innovation they have,” he told Bernama.

Abdul Rashid said that Thailand's success, particularly in the field of agriculture, was a result of good governance at all levels, including marketing, management, and the value chain.

"Malaysia should look into the aspects of governance and administrative management; it must be transparent in order to prevent misconduct and malpractice at all levels,” he added.

Kedah Fishermen Association (Nekad) chairman Azmi Bahri hoped that cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand would facilitate a number of procedures, such as work permit applications and labour recruitment.

"NEKAD really hopes for fruitful collaboration...in terms of labour recruitment and to repair fishing boats in Thailand due to its lower cost," he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) (Perak Chapter) president Law Weng Sum said the formation of the task forces comes at the right time as a prelude to Visit Perak Year 2024, which will help promote the state's tourism industry to Thai tourists.

He hoped that the task forces would formulate plans to facilitate travel between the two countries' borders and subsequently attract more people to join tour groups.

"For example, the task forces could assist in establishing direct flight routes from Ipoh to Hatyai or Bangkok and vice versa. With this, it could bring endless benefits to both the tourism industry and local businesses,” he opined.

Malaysia Agency Tourism Association president Datuk Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said the task forces served as a good platform for both countries to learn about the tourism ecosystem.

"The task forces must be inclusive by getting the real (industry) players in. The task force is seen as an additional platform to make the (tourist) ecosystem known to both sides (Malaysia and Thailand), and their coexistence should be acknowledged,” he said.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to form a number of task forces to boost cooperation in agriculture, tourism, security, trade and business, including the halal sector.

Anwar, in revealing this during a joint press conference with his Thai counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, at the Prime Minister’s Office here, said both leaders have given a one-month timeframe to submit a report on the outcome of the task forces. - BERNAMA