Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the proposal was presented to Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa during a meeting yesterday.

“Their involvement can attract more investment into the SEZs. In fact, I also suggested that Kelantan take the opportunity to build business spaces along Sungai Golok,” he said in a post on Facebook today.

In the meeting, they also discussed the results of his visit to the Thai side of Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, on Saturday with Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin.

During the visit, the two leaders also discussed the rubber sector and the food industry.

Anwar said that he and Maris also discussed dredging the Sungai Golok estuary to help combat recurring flood problems and provide relief for communities on both sides of the border.

He also expressed Malaysia’s commitment to the southern Thailand peace process.

“Both countries have agreed for Malaysia to host the seventh annual consultation on Sept 19,” he said.

Malaysia is a facilitator of peace talks to end the decades of conflict in the southern Thai provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla.

Former national security council director-general Rabin Basir was appointed as the new Malaysian government facilitator for the talks effective July 1.