For Malaysia, which is celebrating 50 years of independence from its colonial masters, this year is symbolic of the trials and tribulations of a nation eagerly waiting to take its place in the developed world. This visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The relationship thus far has been described as cordial but it is still a long way off from realising its full potential.

Historical ties, Asean-kinship and geographical proximity warrant closer relations, but recent events have dampened that prospect. Despite the many advances and overtures from leaders of both nations, any real achievement in bilateral relations is stalled due to the insurgency in Thailand's South, in which Malaysia is steadily becoming embroiled.

Perhaps our greatest commonality is in the security threat posed in the predominantly Muslim provinces of Thailand's deep South. Pundits argue that 2007 will be a delicate period that will ultimately influence the outcome of the clash with the separatist groups. The investigation into leads that may link southern Thailand Muslim insurgents to the New Year's Eve bomb blasts paints a bleak picture of this conflict.

 Axiomatic of the current state of affairs of the two countries, prime ministers Abdullah Badawi and Surayud Chulanont will have to tackle the key issues head on. The strained relations between Malaysia and Thailand during former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration have induced a climate of suspicion and distrust not just between the leaders but also among the Thai people as well as the Malaysians.

Thus, here lies the focus of cooperation under present circumstances as well as the cause that divides. Surayud Chulanont's support for a proposed 27-kilometre wall in Betong, which is situated in the heart of the unrest raging on in the southern province of Yala, to curb smuggling and illegal border crossings has been highlighted in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysians are watching closely to see whether Badawi will raise this issue with Surayud. There are concerns that the proposed wall will have an adverse effect on the livelihood of locals as well as further restrict the interaction between Malays in the northern states of Malaysia, with whom the Thai Muslims there have legitimate family bonds. Scepticism concerning the wall, which many here view as a human rights issue, is gaining support.

 The way forward is to make the small strides that are of great importance to improving bilateral relations in this context. The Joint Development Strategy spearheaded by the Thailand-Malaysia Committee to develop better living standards for people in the five southern provinces of Thailand (Songkhla, Yala, Satun, Pattani and Narathiwat) as well as four states of Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and parts of Perak) is an endeavour not fully appreciated by the masses in Malaysia. Building bridges such as the Bukit Bunga Buketa - connecting the Waeng district in Narathiwat and the Jeli district in Kelantan - is indeed a positive step. Badawi's administration style of building bridges across communities should sit well with Bangkok and pave the way forward.

However, unceasing disputes over border demarcation and political mistrust over border issues may alter the public's perception of cooperation efforts under the Joint Development Strategy Action Plan. The general population in Malaysia is impatient at the slow pace of progress as far as the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) is concerned. Thus, the goodwill between the two leaders must be translated into further tangible results.

 Other security issues - such as the dual-citizenship problem, drugs and gun smuggling, human trafficking as well as border boundary disputes - are long-standing. Socio-economic imperatives for the troubled regions that lie in proximity with Malaysia will be impeded by national security concerns.

Good will could give way to lethargy among officials of both nations. In this instance, there may arise a misconception that Malaysians in general would prefer any arrangement that benefits the troubled provinces of Thailand. While to an extent that may be true, there has always been a realisation amongst Malaysian officials that criminal and extreme elements couched under the guise of Islam who flourish amidst the conflict in the South of Thailand have no place in our foreign policy.

A case in point is a violent armed robbery of a popular goldsmith chain in Kuala Lumpur recently. Malaysian police believe that the gang members used forged travel documents to enter Malaysia to commit violent robberies. Thus, Malaysians abhor any threat to the safety of their people and support any move to fight crime in this context.

 Last year, bilateral trade relations stood at Bt507 million and the volume of Malaysian investment in Thailand was around Bt20 million, an increase of approximately 55 per cent from 2005. Although these figures signify the growing economic relationship between the two countries, the numbers indicate that much needs to be done to enhance our economic cooperation. As compared to many other countries that Malaysia has economic ties with, the fact remains that we are only at minimal levels of cooperation when viewed in the light of the huge potential of both nations. We must enhance such ties with our closest neighbour, upon whom our future relies. As the measure of a bridge is in its very foundations, perhaps in this case Thailand and Malaysia can build on its long and often troubled relationship for a better future for both nations.

Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob

Special to The Nation

Kuala Lumpur

Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob is a Malaysian broadcast journalist and a lawyer. He can be contacted at imran.yacob@gmail.com.