JOHOR BARU - Malaysians serving jail terms in Thailand will soon be able to complete their sentences in Malaysian prisons as both governments are expected to sign a prisoner transfer agreement soon.

The agreement will especially cover those currently on death row or serving long prison sentences.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya is scheduled to be in Kuala Lumpur in mid January and that the deal was among matters to be inked during the trip.

Rais told The Star that this was among measures to ease the congestion in Malaysian jails where about RM50,000 ($20,775) is spent a day on 2,000 foreign prisoners, including Thais.

A total 402 Malaysians serving prison terms in Thai jails had appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in October for a transfer treaty to be signed with Thailand.

Foreign Ministry Consular Division undersecretary Ayauf Bachi confirmed that the ministry had received their letter through Suhakam.

Suhakam commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said they were trying to get permission to visit Malaysian prisoners in Thailand to check on their condition.