Malay Police Request Security, Drugs Cooperation

Malaysian police request security, drugs cooperation

SATUN: -- A delegation of senior Malaysian police officers today travelled to Thailand's southern border province of Satun to express sorrow at the death of 85 Muslim protestors last month, and urged that the police forces of the two countries cement cooperative efforts in the fields of security and narcotics.

Mr. Choosak Maneetchayangkura, the Deputy Satun Governor, welcomed the 20-strong delegation led by Malaysia's deputy internal police chief and the head of the Perlis State police force this morning.

Voicing sadness over the incident on 25 October, when 85 protestors died at the hands of military officers in the nearby Narathiwat Province, the Malaysian deputy police chief urged the two sides to cooperate in security and narcotics operations.

He stressed that Satun officials could make telephone contact with officials in Malaysia whenever assistance was required.

His comments were received positively by the Thai side, with Mr. Choosak expressing willingness to engage in more bilateral cooperation to ensure peace on both sides of the border.

The Malaysian proposals will be discussed in more details with Satun police officers before they are put into practice.

--TNA 2004-11-22