MALAYSIA and Thailand are expected to finalise negotiations on the expansion and deepening of the Sungai Golok river mouth within a month, in a move to reduce flooding in Kelantan and southern Thailand.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had held two rounds of discussions with the Thai government, including with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, to expedite the implementation of the project.
He said the proposed works were an important measure to mitigate flooding, which affects communities on both sides of the border.
“I hope to resume negotiations within this month to finalise the matter. There has already been progress between the Malaysian and Thai governments,” he said at the launch of the Kelantan Entrepreneur Recovery Scheme in Kota Bharu on Saturday.
Anwar said close cooperation between the two countries was essential to resolving the issue effectively and benefiting communities in Kelantan and southern Thailand.
He said good relations with neighbouring countries were important not only for trade but also for addressing cross-border issues that required joint solutions.
On flooding in Kelantan, Anwar gave an assurance that the Federal Government would continue supporting flood mitigation projects in the state despite their high costs.
He said the matter had been discussed with the menteri besar to develop an integrated solution through closer cooperation between the state and Federal governments, with the aim of reducing the impact of floods on residents and the state's development.
Anwar also said the government planned to revitalise the area surrounding the Rantau Panjang Bridge through a development project to be undertaken with the state government.
He said the initiative required firm commitment from both sides, particularly in expediting land acquisition.
He thanked Kelantan State Secretary Datuk Dr Tengku Mohamed Faziharudean Tengku Feissal for helping to speed up the related land acquisition process.
“We are also using this opportunity to develop the area around the Rantau Panjang Bridge. I thank the state secretary for expediting land acquisition and other matters so that we can implement the project, with the hope of giving Rantau Panjang a new look and bringing progress to the area,” he said.
Anwar said the development was part of the government's efforts to stimulate socioeconomic growth in border areas while addressing issues involving the Sungai Golok river mouth. - November 1, 2026
