Arau: The Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail granted an audience to the Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) of Thailand, Piyasiri Wattanavarangkul, at Istana Arau yesterday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Raja Muda emphasized that the meeting provided an essential platform for bilateral discussions to explore new areas of cooperation and strengthen existing collaborations across various fields of mutual interest.
The audience was highlighted as a valuable platform to reinforce bilateral ties between Perlis and Thailand's southern border provinces, which have long been connected through shared history, culture, religion, and cross-border family ties. These centuries-old relationships continue to provide a robust foundation for enhancing friendship and expanding strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand.
Istana Arau noted that a key focus of the discussions was on strengthening the shared Malay-Islamic heritage that forms the common identity of communities in Perlis and southern Thailand. Preserving the Malay language, Jawi script, culture, customs, and Islamic traditions remains a vital element in fostering closer ties while respecting the diversity of society.
Cultural and heritage exchanges are recognized as effective mediums for strengthening people-to-people ties and promoting greater mutual understanding, particularly among the young generation. In line with this objective, both sides discussed potential cooperation in promoting the Malay language, strengthening Islamic studies networks through higher education institutions in Perlis, organizing cultural festivals, and preserving and promoting traditional heritage arts as a shared cultural treasure.
Istana Arau added that cooperation in religious affairs also featured prominently in the discussions, covering mosque management and administration, Quranic studies, and the development of the halal industry, initiatives that could contribute to socioeconomic development and improve the well-being of the ummah in the border region.
The discussions also explored student and teacher exchange programs, collaboration in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and scholarship opportunities for students from southern Thailand to pursue higher education in Perlis, particularly at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin International Islamic University (UniSIRAJ).
Overall, Istana Arau stated that the meeting reflected the shared commitment of Perlis and the SBPAC to strengthen bilateral relations further, expand cross-border cooperation, and create new opportunities for collaboration for the mutual prosperity and well-being of the people of Malaysia and Thailand.