Malaysian Prime Minister Mahmoud Najib Haji Razak hopes to strengthen trade ties with India and wants the two countries to share intelligence inputs
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahmoud Najib Haji Razak hopes to strengthen trade ties with India and wants the two countries to share intelligence inputs to check the growing threat of terrorism in the region. The Malaysian premier spoke to Surendra Gangan at his office in Jayputra. Excerpts from the interview:
Asian countries, in recent times, have been threatened by terror attacks. What precautions does your country take to check the terror elements in the region?
Fortunately, our country has not suffered any terror attack. We are doing all we can and taking adequate precautions to secure our national borders. I think that maintaining cordial relationships among all the people in the country is important for internal peace. Close tie-ups with like minded countries such as India also help us keep terrorism at bay.
What do you expect from India as a partner in combating terrorism?
India and Malaysia should exchange intelligence inputs in a qualitative and timely manner. This sharing of intel between the agencies of both countries will help greatly in controlling terror in the region.
Malaysia has tightened its visa rules and has stopped issuing visas on arrival…
We were facing internal problem because of the visa on arrival rule. The number of people staying illegally in the country had gone up, so we changed the rule. But our country’s visa system is still not that rigid or stringent. Indians throng to Malaysia in large numbers as tourists and as workers. Barbers, cooks, priests are in demand and many of them have come here. Indian priests are demand in Malaysia as they are much more knowlegable with respect to rituals and Sankrit scriptures. The Indian visa process is stringent and tough. But friendly ties can remedy this issue.
What special measures has your government taken for people of Indian origin in Malaysia?
People of Indian origin account for 7.8% of the Malaysian population. We have formed a task force under the leadership of human resources minister S Subramaniam to look after the problems faced by them. We closely work with groups and NGOs working for the welfare of the community. They are funded by the government. There are more than 500 Tamil schools, of which many are funded by the government.
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