Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia and Australia on Monday called on their neighbours to join them in enhancing regional cooperation to combat the problem of people smuggling. Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman acknowledged that the government was struggling to contain the recent increase in human trafficking cases, but stressed that it was a regional problem.
"This is not just a Malaysian problem," Anifah said at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith.
Anifah said thousands of asylum seekers were fleeing their countries to get to Australia via Malaysia.
"We need to get to the root problems, how we can assist the countries involved both economically and socially, to overcome this," he said.
Smith, who arrived early Monday accompanying Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on the official visit, said Australia was "very pleased" with the level of commitment and cooperation shown by Malaysia in this issue.
"These issues can only be dealt with regionally," he told reporters.
Many of the boat people enter Malaysia using valid travel documents, posing as tourists or students, thus making them difficult to nab.
Anifah said Malaysia would enhance its efforts at enforcement, saying the main problem was weeding out genuine tourists from would-be asylum seekers.
"We have always been misunderstood," said Anifah.
"Malaysia is unfortunate because we are nearby the countries experiencing difficulties now," he said.
Earlier, the two men stressed the deepening of ties between the two nations, which have in the past been rocky.
Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, who resigned in 2003, never made an official visit to Australia in the 22 years he was prime minister and ties were, at best, strained during his tenure.
Smith said his visit along with Rudd signalled the optimism of further enhancement of bilateral ties.
"Australia's relationship with Malaysia is very strong, very warn and long-standing," he said.
"The fact that four of us are together underlines the strength of this relationship."
Rudd was due to hold talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak later Monday.
