VERBATIM TEXT

REMARKS BY

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH

HIS EXCELLENCY MR ANUTIN CHARNVIRAKUL

PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

PUTRAJAYA

9 JULY 2026

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Khrap khun khrap

Thank you very much.

1. It’s always a pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Prime Minister Anutin and Deputy Prime Ministers and members of delegation to Malaysia.
2. Not only we do both countries have an excellent longstanding friendship, but I’m very fortunate because this dear friend of mine was a dear friend long before I became Prime Minister. I think he probably guessed that I’ll make it, but he hosted me for many functions those days and we have had extensive discussions since then.

 

3. Our meeting today is very substantive and fruitful. I say rarely do have the Prime Minister exchanging on issues and trying to resolve many of the outstanding issues.

 

4. Malaysia and Thailand are important neighbors in terms of history, culture, economy, trade and investment. But we realize that more need to be done to enhance this collaboration in all fields.

 

5. So, we have established some agreement even before our visit to Bukit Kayu Hitam – Sadao tomorrow morning. And this is also unique. Not many such visits goes on to not only the capital city, but goes to the remote areas to the border. And this reflects his personal commitment to enhance these relations.

 

6. We also discussed the second bridge, this Rantau Panjang – Sungai Golok bridge and the proposal that is ongoing. We want to have it done fast. We initially agreed some time back and this is something very positive for the initially the Perlis, Kedah down to Penang and this Sungai Golok – Rantau Panjang bridge will be mainly for South Thailand and Kelantan.

 

7. And also we discussed the initial proposal to revive the Rantau Panjang–Sungai Golok railway. Bilateral trade target of $30 billion by 2027. We have to work hard, and I think both Foreign Ministers and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Ministers (MITI) should focus on this because strong friendship and collaboration in all fields, including tourism, must start with the fundamental issue of economy and trade.

 

8. We agreed also to proceed with the Special Border Economic Zones and to facilitate exchanges in immigration and customs between the two countries. And we have resolved the outstanding issues on fisheries, with both ministers’ commitment, and they wanted the memorandum to continue and be effected in one and a half months, and we agreed it should be effected in one week.

 

9. The other issues, of course, training and collaboration. I don’t have real problems here, particularly with Prime Minister Anutin. We are in touch almost on a weekly basis. He’s very good with his WhatsApp, and very fast in the response and that help. And The Minister of Foreign Affairs sometimes complains to me because we make the decisions earlier before the Foreign Minister is aware. That shows the extent of trust and collaboration, which will be meaningful and fruitful for both countries.

 

10. I do appreciate his collaboration, his stance in securing continued peace on the issue at the border. And we said we will, of course, continue to listen and have the exchanges to ensure that there is no de-escalation. But we trust the wisdom of the leadership of both countries to ensure that ASEAN remains a vibrant and peaceful country.

 

11. I’m also extremely delighted to hear Prime Minister Anutin’s view on Myanmar, because we in Malaysia, are of the opinion that the best way to resolve this long-standing issue is through effective engagement and to allow for the Myanmar people to decide for themselves. Thailand is an important friend and neighbour and can play a pivotal role.

 

12. And thank you very much to the Foreign Minister for taking the initiative to invite all ASEAN Foreign Ministers to deliberate this further and listen to the various parties, including the new Myanmar Foreign Minister.

 

13. So, thank you again, Prime Minister Anutin. Come again soon, because you make us so comfortable, happy and very relaxed. I mean, my colleagues would certainly agree with me. You see, the meetings are like among friends, among old friends, you know. Is there a problem? Yeah. We’re going to solve it. When? Next week. Two weeks’ time. This doesn’t happen in most countries. This happens only because Thailand is an important country and Prime Minister Anutin is now here.

Thank you very much again.