Hishammuddin, Thai PM Hold Talks In Bangkok

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Thailand are on the same page over the need to share intelligence to ensure regional peace and stability. This was among the outcome of a meeting in Bangkok Friday between Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Hishammuddin said they had a fruitful discussion on defence cooperation, national disaster preparedness and management as well as certain security risks that the two countries faced today. In a statement, the minister said they ventured on the topic of the threat of the Islamic State militant group in this region. "We discussed about ways to work together to solve security-related problems, including terrorism, human trafficking and tensions in southern Thailand," Hishammuddin said. He said both of them agreed that a strong, successful and united ASEAN was not only an economic necessity but also a strategic imperative. "Our history and similarities should be highlighted to further evolve and strengthen ties between our two nations and other ASEAN member states," Hishammuddin said. He said he and the Thai leader agreed that trust, communication and management of differences were a common responsibility of the wider region. ASEAN comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. -- BERNAMA