Government monitoring investments in Thailand, Cambodia amid conflict

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The government will monitor Malaysia’s investments in Thailand and Cambodia amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries, says Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong.

“We have not received the latest report on Malaysia’s investments in Cambodia and Thailand. However, we will monitor the situation closely,” he said at a press conference held in conjunction with a job fair here.

Liew was responding to a question on whether the conflict had affected Malaysian investments.

Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have been rising since May 28, following a deadly incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.

The two countries have long been at odds over their 817km border, which has remained unresolved for decades, and the dispute continues to strain diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, at the job fair, Liew said more than 500 vacancies from over 60 companies would be offered during the event, slated for September 20 at the University of Reading Malaysia here.

“We have specifically told participating companies to offer jobs that pay more than RM3,500.

“The main reason Malaysians work in Singapore is because of the much higher pay, due to currency conversion. There is no way we can change that unless we match the salary,” he said.