KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia was committed to strengthen its tie with Australia to curb human trafficking, a Malaysian official said here on Wednesday.

    Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysia and Australia shared the same geographical links and therefore collaboration between the two countries in dealing cross-border issues was vital.

    Hishammuddin attended a short briefing at the Working Group Meeting Between Malaysia--Australia on People Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons here Wednesday.

    The participants in the two-day meeting will deliberate on various issues pertaining to eight themes, including People Smuggling Situation Reports, enhanced intelligence sharing, cooperative disruption activities and legal frameworks on people smuggling.

    Cooperative surveillance and interdiction on-water, passport, border management and relevant immigration arrangements, stabilizing and managing displaced populations as well as regional cooperation will also be discussed.

    Hishammuddin said at the press conference that while Malaysia was a transit point and destination for human trafficking, it was important for the country to look at the issue seriously.

    Although the minister failed to provide figures about human trafficking and human smuggling, Hishammuddin said the numbers would be big enough to justify Malaysia's cooperation with Australia.

    He also said handling issues alike could not rely on a single country but must engage bilateral and regional efforts, adding that human trafficking could affect regional stability.

    When asked about the achievements of the two countries, Hishammuddin said he was pleased that such meeting could be organized within a short span of time after his visit to Australia early August.

    "Malaysia had every political will to deal with the issue and hoped to sign a memorandum with Australia by February 2010 regarding their efforts to prevent human trafficking," added the minister.

    He also said the Malaysian authorities had showed their enthusiasm in combating the criminal act and hopefully more countries could share resources to halt human trafficking.

    As there was no way to tighten a country's border, sharing of intelligence and knowledge as well as being able to utilize technologies were crucial, said Hishammudin.

    The meeting is chaired by Malaysian Deputy Home Ministers Abu Seman Yusop and Jelaing Mersat, while the Australia delegation is headed by the National Security Adviser to Australian Prime Minister.