Light moment: Saifuddin Nasution (centre) shaking hands with members of staff upon leaving the ministry’s monthly assembly. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: A committee will be formed to look into possible cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam to explore maritime resources, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the Cabinet had agreed to set up the committee following the official visit by general-secretary of the central committee of the communist party of Vietnam To Lam recently.
During his visit, Lam, among others, held talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Both leaders felt that a new approach is needed to tackle the issue of Vietnamese fishermen trespassing into our waters.
“A new form of cooperation is also needed to ensure mutual benefit for both parties,” he told a press conference after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said the committee’s aim was to find the best model to enable both countries explore maritime resources and share their expertise on the matter.
“We can share experiences and technology on deep sea fishing and conduct joint operations to ensure mutual benefits for both parties,” he said.
He said maritime cooperation was practiced by other countries as well, citing that Morocco had signed an agreement with the European Union (EU) on a similar matter.
As a result of the agreement, Spain, a member of the EU is allowed to explore the waters of Morocco, he said.
On border security, Saifuddin Nasution said his ministry will not build walls to boost border security, preferring the use of latest and advanced techno- logy instead.
He said building walls or fences such as the one proposed at the Malaysia-Thailand border along Sungai Golok would incur high cost.
“We are more inclined to use the latest innovation to increase security at the borders. We will invite local and foreign companies to show “proof of concept” on the technology they are offering,” he said, adding that such efforts were vital towards curbing illegal entries via secret or hidden passages.
Meanwhile, in his speech, the minister said some 9,000 police personnel who are without government quarters would be placed at vacant housing facilities under the Education Ministry by the first quarter of next year.
The Cabinet was informed that the Education Ministry has 17,000 units of unoccupied quarters, he said, adding this would solve the issue of lack of quarters for police personnel.
“We have started discussing with the ministry on placing police personnel at the vacant quarters, We will cover any cost for repairs or maintenance for the quarters,” he added.
