Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to help facilitate peace talks In Southern Thailand, where clashes between the government of the region and Muslims separatist groups have been going on for decades,
Anwar said that Malaysia must assist “The Land of Smiles” as good neighbours and Asean family members during a joint speech with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday.
“I’ve come here with a categorical message that the (Malaysian) government doesn’t condone any sort of violence to resolve conflict. We will exercise our rights as friends, as family members, to express our legitimate concerns whilst acknowledging that South Thailand is an internal issue.
“But it is our duty as good neighbours and family to do whatever is necessary to facilitate (the peace) process. That is why we agree to appoint an acceptable facilitator from a retired chief of our armed forces, known to the prime minister (Prayut) to work and find ways to assist,” said Anwar.
Anwar said that he feels it is his responsibility to see that their concerns about religion, culture, and language are addressed in reference to what he called the “trust deficit” between southern Thai Muslims and the Thai authorities. He went on to say that Prayuth recognises the significance of economic development in the region.
Addressing reporters after meeting with Prayuth, Anwar said his country is committed to assisting Thailand in finding a solution to the violence in the south.
It was Anwar’s first trip to his country’s northern neighbour since taking office in November. He has previously met with Indonesian, Bruneian, and Singaporean leaders.
The Muslim separatist insurgency in Thailand’s deep south, which has claimed the lives of about 7,000 civilians, soldiers, government employees, and rebels since it flared up in 2004, was one of the top concerns during his discussions with his Thai counterpart, which touched on a variety of economic and security issues.
With drive-by shootings and bombings being carried out by separatists in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces—the only ones with majority Muslim populations —the fighting is sporadic but brutal, and the government has been accused of abusing suspects and torturing them.
Muslims in Southern Thailand, who are of a different ethnicity, culture, and language than the Buddhist majority, often complain of being treated like second-class citizens and are supported by many in Malaysia, where Muslims make up about 60% of the country’s population.
Malaysia has hosted and facilitated peace talks between the separatist groups and the Thai government in the past, but little progress has been made. Anwar has expressed particular interest in the efforts and appointed a former top Malaysian general to be the chief facilitator.
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