Thailand may bar KL opposition

Thailand may bar KL opposition

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand said on Wednesday it was ready to
cooperate fully with Malaysia to prevent Malaysian opposition
figures fleeing the country across the Thai border.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Malaysia
had made no official request for Thai assistance in monitoring
travelers or to close the border following the arrest of ousted
finance minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday.

"There are reports that the Malaysian side is imposing strict
measures to prevent opposition figures from fleeing to Thailand,"
ministry spokesman Kobsak Jutikul told a Thai television station.

The Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has seen two days of
sometimes violent protests by Anwar supporters since his arrest.

Kobsak said the situation in Malaysia was "worrisome" and that
the deteriorating economy would be a decisive factor affecting
the fate of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.