Sejarah baharu di selatan Thailand (Patani Darussalam)

Sejarah baharu di selatan Thailand

Oleh Nurul Anuar Kari

Tentera Thai berbual dengan penduduk tempatan di pos kawalan dekat wilayah Yala, ketika kerajaan Thailand setuju berunding dengan kumpulan pejuang Islam bagi menamatkan konflik selatan Thailand di Putrajaya semalam. - REUTERS

MEMASUKI tahun kesembilan pergolakan berdarah dengan lebih 5,500 nyawa melayang, rakyat selatan Thailand kini mempunyai harapan baharu menamatkan konflik dengan bermulanya proses perbincangan kerajaan negara itu dengan kumpulan-kumpulan pejuang Islam.

Kerajaan Thailand sebelum ini telah menyatakan kesediaan mengadakan rundingan damai dengan kumpulan pemisah berikutan keganasan yang semakin meningkat di wilayah Yala, Patani dan Narathiwat.

Menjelang pertemuan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dengan rakan sejawatnya dari Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra, satu perjanjian konsensus telah ditandatangani lebih awal antara kerajaan Thailand dan kumpulan pejuang Islam, Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) pagi semalam.

Perjanjian bertujuan membuka proses dialog rundingan damai itu ditandatangani Setiausaha Agung Majlis Keselamatan Kebangsaan Thailand (NSC), Lt Jen Pharadorn Phatthanatabutr dan Ketua Pejabat Perhubungan BRN di Malaysia, Hassan Taib di Pusat Latihan Polis (Pulapol) Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

Majlis perjanjian tersebut turut disaksikan Setiausaha Majlis Keselamatan Negara, Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab bersama kepimpinan tertinggi kerajaan Thailand dan BRN serta ketua-ketua pasukan keselamatan Malaysia.

Langkah ini merupakan usaha kedua Malaysia selaku orang tengah dan pemudah cara dalam membantu mewujudkan rantau Asia Tenggara lebih stabil selepas kejayaan perjanjian damai bersejarah di selatan Filipina.

Namun, melihatkan perkembangan situasi di selatan Thailand sejak sembilan tahun lalu, masih banyak pihak yang bimbang sejarah pergolakan akan berulang.

Di samping perlunya mencari punca sebenar pergolakan, kegagalan beberapa perjanjian damai dan gencatan senjata sebelum ini perlu menjadi iktibar agar kesilapan sama tidak diulangi tanpa mengabaikan beberapa perkembangan positif yang berjaya dicapai.

Menurut Geostrategis Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Dr. Azmi Hassan, situasi di selatan Thailand sebenarnya berbeza dengan selatan Filipina dan lebih sukar untuk ditangani.

“Di Filipina lebih mudah kerana mereka mempunyai kumpulan besar dan ketua yang nyata. Selatan Thailand pula banyak kumpulan kecil yang tidak bersatu dan berpecah serta tiada ketua yang mewakili majoriti kumpulan tersebut.

“Kerana itu sukar untuk berbincang dengan pejuang kumpulan-kumpulan di selatan Thailand berbanding di Filipina," katanya.

Tambahnya, peranan Malaysia selaku orang tengah kini adalah untuk memujuk semua kumpulan pejuang itu duduk berbincang dengan kerajaan Thailand.

Beliau yakin Malaysia mampu memainkan peranan itu memandangkan kerajaan Thailand sendiri bersetuju menerima bantuan Kuala Lumpur selaku pihak berkecuali yang tiada kepentingan peribadi.

“Ini satu perkembangan yang baik. Sebelum ini mereka tidak mahu libatkan kita mungkin kerana sangsi kemampuan kita untuk menjadi neutral atau fikir kita akan lebih membantu pejuang-pejuang Islam.

“Hari ini, nampaknya sudah ada perubahan sikit ke arah yang lebih baik. Pihak Thailand sudah tiada masalah mempercayai kita dan begitu juga pejuang-pejuang di selatan Thailand," ujar Azmi.

Menurut beliau, Malaysia juga sudah mempunyai pengaruh tersendiri dalam kalangan kumpulan pejuang itu memandangkan ahli mereka di Malaysia tidak diberi tekanan besar.

Dengan kepercayaan kedua-dua belah pihak, beliau berpendapat cabaran utama bagi Malaysia adalah untuk menarik semua atau sekurang-kurangnya majoriti kumpulan pejuang di selatan Thailand di bawah satu payung.

“Kejayaan perbincangan kali ini bergantung kepada kumpulan-kumpulan kecil ini bersatu, tetapi jika hanya satu atau dua kumpulan sahaja turut serta, ia tidak akan merangkumi semua pihak berkepentingan dan situasi akan kembali seperti sebelumnya.

“Masalahnya kini tiada seorang ketua atau juara yang boleh satukan mereka mahupun kumpulan besar yang dominan dan berpengaruh. Kumpulan-kumpulan di Yala, Patani dan Narathiwat hanya berjuang secara berasingan," jelasnya.

Katanya lagi, Malaysia perlu mengumpulkan kumpulan-kumpulan terbabit dan membentuk satu jawatankuasa yang mewakili kepentingan semua pejuang untuk berbincang dengan kerajaan Thailand.

“Seperti juga di Filipina, kita tidak boleh memuaskan hati semua pihak yang terlibat. Namun, dengan mengumpulkan majoriti daripada mereka, itu sudah cukup untuk memberi impak positif yang diharap akan berkekalan," tegasnya.

Presiden Persatuan Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Polis Bersara Malaysia (Respa), Datuk Mohd. Jamil Mohd. Hassan turut yakin dengan kemampuan kerajaan Malaysia membantu mencari penyelesaian kekal untuk situasi di selatan Thailand.

“Malaysia mempunyai rekod yang amat baik dalam membuat kebaikan di dalam dan luar negara, termasuk sebagai orang tengah di antara rakyat-rakyat yang terlibat dengan pertelingkahan sedemikian.

“Kini kerajaan Thailand dan rakyat di wilayah selatan negara itu yang rata-ratanya beragama Islam juga telah menaruh harapan tinggi kepada kita kerana tidak mahu semakin banyak nyawa tidak berdosa terkorban," katanya.

Beliau berharap Malaysia dapat membantu menemui kejayaan besar secepat mungkin untuk situasi yang telah lama berpanjangan itu seperti diharapkan semua pihak yang terlibat.

Menceritakan situasi ketika bertugas, bekas Ketua Polis Daerah Kangar sehingga sekitar tahun 1970-an merasakan situasinya berbeza kerana tiada pergolakan di selatan Thailand.

“Ketika itu tiada masalah, kerjasama antara pihak berkuasa Malaysia dan Thailand juga baik termasuk dalam kalangan pegawai awam negara itu yang memberi sokongan dan kerjasama mereka.

“Jika dikaji dengan mendalam, mungkin isunya lebih melibatkan perselisihan faham pihak berkuasa dengan penduduk wilayah terbabit yang majoritinya umat Islam," jelas Mohd. Jamil.

Beliau bagaimanapun merasakan faktor politik negara itu yang kurang stabil tidak boleh dijadikan alasan lagi memandangkan kerajaan baharu Thailand sudah cukup kukuh untuk menguruskan masalah yang dihadapi rakyatnya.

“Dulu mungkin tidak stabil tetapi kerajaan Thailand kini sudah ‘kemas’. Satu langkah besar bagi mereka mengajak Malaysia sebagai orang tengah untuk selesaikan pergolakan di wilayah selatan negara itu.

“Rakyat Malaysia juga berbangga dengan keputusan mereka itu sedangkan negara lain tidak dipanggil. Pergolakan itu perlu diselesaikan segera demi kebaikan semua pihak dan kita yakin kerajaan Malaysia dapat melakukannya," tegas Mohd. Jamil.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Rencana/20130301/re_01/Sejarah-baharu-di-selatan-Thailand#ixzz2MFXcs51A
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Perjanjian bersejarah dimeterai

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Feb. - Dalam usaha mengukuhkan keamanan dan kestabilan di rantau ini, Malaysia berjaya mengusahakan perjanjian persetujuan bersama yang hari ini ditandatangani antara kerajaan Thailand dan Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), kumpulan pejuang pembebasan Islam di selatan Thailand.

Perjanjian bertujuan membuka ruang kepada dialog untuk proses damai di sempadan wilayah-wilayah selatan Thailand, ditandatangani kedua-dua pihak di Pusat Latihan Polis (Pulapol) di Jalan Semarak, di sini.

Ia adalah usaha kedua Malaysia membantu mewujudkan kestabilan di rantau Asia Tenggara selepas kejayaan mengusahakan perjanjian damai bersejarah bagi Mindanao di selatan Filipina.

Pada majlis perjanjian Khamis, kerajaan Thailand diwakili Setiausaha Agung Majlis Keselamatan Kebangsaan Thailand (NSC), Lt. Jen. Pharadorn Phatthanatabutr dan kumpulan pemberontak diwakili Ketua Pejabat Perhubungan BRN di Malaysia, Hassan Taib.

Majlis perjanjian itu disaksikan Setiausaha Majlis Keselamatan Negara Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab.

Wakil lain Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap, Kementerian Pertahanan Thailand Jen. Nipat Thonglek, Setiausaha Agung Pusat Pentadbiran Sempadan Wilayah Kol. Tawee Sodsong dan Pesuruhjaya Cawangan Khas Thailand Lt. Jen. Saridchai Anakevieng.

BRN pula diwakili Setiausaha Pejabat Perhubungan Luar Awang Jabat, Ketua Hal Ehwal Ulama Abdullah Sawa dan Ketua Bahagian Keselamatan Dalaman Abdul Rahman Jabat.

Malaysia diwakili Panglima Angkatan Tentera Jen. Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd. Zin dan Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Mohamed Thajudeen berkata, Malaysia memainkan peranan sebagai pemudah cara dalam perjanjian itu.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dalam perbincangan dengan pihak berkuasa Thailand telah menyatakan kesanggupan untuk membantu menamatkan pemberontakan yang telah lama berlarutan di wilayah selatan Thailand.

Beliau dilaporkan berkata Malaysia bersedia bertindak selaku orang tengah dalam proses itu.

Dilaporkan lebih 5,000 orang terbunuh di tiga wilayah di selatan Thailand sejak pemberontakan meletus pada 2004. - BERNAMA

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20130301/dn_03/Perjanjian-bersejarah-dimeterai#ixzz2MFWWHXs4
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Malaysia perantara sesi dialog

Oleh Norliza Abd. Rahman dan Hashnan Abdullah
pengarang@utusan.com.my

NAJIB Tun Razak menyambut ketibaan Yingluck Shinawatra yang melakukan lawatan kerja sehari ke negara ini di Bangunan Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, semalam. - UTUSAN/HANAFI KHAMIS

PUTRAJAYA 28 Feb. - Malaysia akan menjadi perantara untuk sesi dialog ke arah proses damai antara kerajaan Thailand dan puak pemisah di selatan negara itu yang akan diadakan dua minggu lagi.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak ketika mengumumkan perkembangan itu berkata, seorang fasilitator bakal dilantik oleh Malaysia dalam kalangan pegawai kanan kerajaan sebagai perantara.

''Saya optimis dengan proses damai ini kerana wujudnya komitmen mendalam kedua-dua belah pihak bagi mencari keamanan yang berkekalan dan berpanjangan di wilayah bergolak itu,'' katanya.

Perdana Menteri berkata demikian di dalam sidang akhbar bersama Perdana Menteri Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra di Bangunan Perdana Putra di sini hari ini.

Menurut Najib, Malaysia akan meneruskan momentum yang telah wujud dan perjanjian muktamad akan dimeterai dalam masa terdekat sambil melahirkan keyakinan bahawa Yingluck akan menyokong proses damai itu.

Perkembangan proses damai di Selatan Thai, katanya, akan membawa kemakmuran di kawasan bersempadan dengan Malaysia itu dan dokumen yang telah dimeterai pagi ini menjadi titik permulaan kepada satu proses kedamaian.

''Penduduk di daerah itu berhak menikmati kehidupan yang lebih baik dan sudah sampai masanya sosioekonominya dibangunkan untuk memberi kebaikan kepada Malaysia dan Thailand, mudah-mudahan siri dialog ini berjaya," katanya.

Dokumen konsensus bagi penganjuran dialog itu telah dimeterai di mana Thailand bersetuju menubuhkan Kumpulan Kerjasama di bawah kepimpinan Setiausaha Agung, Majlis Keselamatan Negara Thailand, Left. Jeneral Pharadorn Phatthanatabutr.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai pertemuannya bersama Yingluck, Perdana Menteri berkata, mereka berpuas hati dengan kerjasama dua hala dalam bidang pelaburan dan perdagangan yang terjalin sejak 2000, dengan tahun lalu mencatat angka AS$24 bilion (RM74.4 bilion).

Kata Najib, dua jambatan baru yang akan menghubungkan kedua-dua negara di Sungai Golok, Rantau Panjang akan dibina tidak lama lagi dan beberapa inisiatif lain juga sedang diusahakan untuk kemudahan penduduk di kawasan sempadan.

Mengenai kerjasama keselamatan di sepanjang perbatasan, Perdana Menteri berkata, kedua-dua negara bersetuju meningkatkan komitmen untuk mengawal sempadan terutamanya dalam membanteras penyeludupan manusia, penyeludupan senjata api dan penyeludupan dadah.

''Kerjasama dalam bidang pelancongan turut dibincang bagi mempromosikan kawasan-kawasan yang berpotensi untuk dibangunkan kerana ini satu industri yang memberi pulangan besar kepada ekonomi kedua-dua negara," katanya.

Sementara itu, Yingluck melahirkan penghargaan terhadap sokongan kuat yang diberikan oleh kerajaan Malaysia terhadap proses damai tersebut.

Beliau berkata, kerjasama dalam mencari penyelesaian konflik di Selatan Thailand itu penting dalam hubungan dua hala.

''Saya telah memberi jaminan kepada Najib bahawa kerajaan Thailand amat mengharapkan penyelesaian berpanjangan di wilayah selatan melalui pembangunan ekonomi.

''Saya turut menyatakan tentang usaha berterusan dalam mempromosikan keamanan dan kemakmuran di wilayah selatan menerusi pendekatan yang komprehensif," katanya.

Yingluck berkata, usaha ditumpukan untuk menamatkan keganasan dan mewujudkan suasana aman serta harmoni dalam kalangan rakyat Thailand di kawasan tersebut.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20130301/dn_01/Malaysia-perantara-sesi-dialog#ixzz2MFWOWCqb
© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd

Malaysia-Thailand tandatangan Perjanjian Lintas Batas

PUTRAJAYA 28 Feb. - Malaysia dan Thailand hari ini menandatangani Perjanjian Lintas Batas bersempena lawatan Perdana Menteri, Yingluck Shinawatra ke negara ini.

Perjanjian itu bertujuan menggantikan Traffic Across the Boundary Between the Malay States and Thailand yang ditandatangani di Bangkok pada 24 Jun 1940.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein berkata, beberapa elemen telah diperbaharui bagi meningkatkan keselamatan dan kemudahan pergerakan rentas sempadan antara kedua-dua negara.

Katanya, perjanjian baru itu menjelaskan isu pengeluaran Pas Sempadan antara Malaysia - Thailand dan memutuskan negeri bersempadan sahaja yang layak menggunakan pas tersebut.

''Pas Sempadan yang dikeluarkan sah digunakan untuk tempoh setahun dengan setiap kali kemasukan tidak melebihi 30 hari,'' katanya dalam kenyataan di sini.

Menurut Hishammuddin, pas tersebut hanya dibenarkan untuk melawat saudara-mara, pelancongan, sukan, latihan jangka pendek (tidak lebih sembilan bulan), menghadiri seminar, mesyuarat, persidangan, sidang akhbar membuat liputan serta tujuan lain yang dipersetujui kedua-dua pihak.

Katanya, Pas Sempadan juga dibenarkan untuk kegunaan di negeri-negeri yang dipersetujui sahaja.

''Sekiranya hendak melangkaui sempadan negeri yang telah ditetapkan maka perlu menggunakan pasport antarabangsa negara masing-masing,'' katanya.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20130301/dn_02/Malaysia-Thailand-tandatangan-Perjanjian-Lintas-Batas#ixzz2MFWeCUfU
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KL jadi perantara

2013/03/01 - 04:40:03 AM

PERKUKUH KERJASAMA - Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan rakan sejawatnya dari Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra bertukar dokumen selepas rundingan tahunan Malaysia-Thailand di Putrajaya, semalam.

Proses damai Selatan Thailand: Bantu Bangkok berunding dengan pemberontak Islam

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia sekali lagi membantu mewujudkan keamanan di asia tenggara dengan termeterainya perjanjian persetujuan bersama rundingan damai Kerajaan thailand dan Barisan revolusi nasional (Brn), kumpulan pemberontak islam di selatan thailand, di ibu negara semalam.

Perjanjian yang diusahakan Malaysia untuk mengukuhkan keamanan dan kestabilan itu, membuka ruang dialog untuk proses damai di sempadan wilayah selatan thailand yang menyebabkan ribuan terbunuh.

Malaysia memainkan peranan sebagai pemudah cara dalam perjanjian itu dan butiran lanjut akan diumumkan kemudian," Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab, Setiausaha Majlis Keselamatan Negara

Wujudkan kestabilan serantau ia adalah usaha kedua Malaysia membantu mewujudkan kestabilan di wilayah serantau selepas kejayaan mengusahakan perjanjian damai bersejarah bagi penduduk islam Mindanao di selatan filipina.

Bercakap kepada pemberita, Setiausaha MKn, Mohamed thajudeen, berkata Malaysia memainkan peranan sebagai pemudah cara dalam perjanjian itu dan butiran lanjut akan diumumkan kemudian.

Usaha kedua Malaysia wujud kestabilan serantau

Pada majlis perjanjian menandatangani di Pusat Latihan Polis (Pulapol) itu, Kerajaan Thailand diwakili Setiausaha Agung Majlis Keselamatan Kebangsaan Thailand (NSC), Lt Jen Pharadorn Phatthanatabutr dan kumpulan pemberontak diwakili Ketua Pejabat Perhubungan BRN di Malaysia, Hassan Taib. Majlis perjanjian disaksikan Mohamed Thajudeen.
Wakil lain ialah Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pertahanan Thailand, Jen Nipat Thonglek; Setiausaha Agung Pusat Pentadbiran Sempadan Wilayah, Kol Tawee Sodsong; dan Pesuruhjaya Cawangan Khas Thailand, Lt Jen Saridchai Anakevieng.

BRN pula diwakili Setiausaha Pejabat Perhubungan Luar, Awang Jabat; Ketua Hal Ehwal Ulama, Abdullah Sawa dan Ketua Bahagian Keselamatan Dalaman, Abdul Rahman Jabat.

Malaysia diwakili Panglima Angkatan Tentera, Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin dan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Najib dalam perbincangan dengan pihak berkuasa Thailand sebelum ini telah menyatakan kesanggupan untuk membantu menamatkan pemberontakan yang telah lama berlarutan di selatan Thailand. Beliau dilaporkan berkata Malaysia bersedia bertindak sebagai orang tengah dalam proses itu.

Dilaporkan lebih 5,000 orang terbunuh di tiga wilayah di selatan Thailand sejak pemberontakan meletus pada 2004. – BERNAMA

http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/KLjadiperantara/Article/

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=931131

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=930965

 

Still a long way to go after signing of Thailand-BRN agreement

• Published: 28 Feb 2013 at 14.07

Talks between the Thai government and representatives of the BRN insurgency group active in the far South will begin in two weeks, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Thursday.

The Malaysian premier was speaking in Kuala Lumpur after talks with visiting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut also confirmed talks between Thailand and factions within the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement will begin in two weeks.

Malaysia would facilitate the meeting by bringing BRN representatives to talks at a location in Thailand, he said in a telephone interview from Kuala Lumpur.

"Malaysia will arrange for a meeting every two weeks from now, for me or my team to talk with BRN representatives at all levels to listen to their opinions and demands," he said.

The NSC secretary-general signed documents with Hassan Taib, chief of the BRN liaison office in Malaysia, on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, paving the way for dialogue with the BRN .

The signing has been generally welcomed. Academic and Muslim representatives in Thailand agreed the agreement  is a big step forward, but said much more still has to be done before the problem in the far South can be settled. The violence would not end immediately.

Thanet Aphornsuvan (Photo by Somchai Laopaisarntaksin)

Thanet Aphornsuvan, dean of the Pridi Banomyong International College's Asean Studies Programme, said although the agreement was a rushed and less than transparent deal, it should still be considered a historic breakthrough.

The Thai state, said Mr Thanet, should have had made a similarly courageous but difficult decision long before now and announced that negotiation was the way out of this historical legacy in the far South.

"Peace dialogue is the way to diffuse political violence and this government has the mandate and has done its homework in launching the first step," said Mr Thanet, whose book "Rebellion in Southern Thailand: Contending Histories" has been well-read internationally.

But he cautioned that the Thai state needs to steer the next direction firmly, without quarreling among the various agencies. The signing would not lead right away to peace and an end to the violence.

On the other side, the insurgent movement was not unified and discussing a modality that they could compromise or agree with would eventually destroy their militant strength, Mr Thanet noted.

"I wonder if the movements, particularly the political wings, have prepared for this, whether they are efficient enough to manage certain administrative tasks in the future," he said.

The "general consensus document to launch a dialogue process for peace in the southern border provinces of Thailand" was signed by Lt Gen Paradorn, and Mr Hassan on behalf of the BRN in Malaysia on Thursday morning in Kuala Lumpur.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, Chulalongkorn University associate professor of political science, said the hush-rush deal, with no checks or balances from the Foreign Ministry, was a dangerous move.

"Talks have occurred all along, somehow, somewhere, but any agreement signed should have been weighed more carefully so as not to undermine the bargaining chips and dignity of the Thai state," said Mr Panitan, a former deputy secretary-general to former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The merits of the deal would certainly go to the ruling governments of the two countries, particularly in light of the forthcoming election in Malaysia, he said.

Panitan Wattanayagorn (AFP Photo)

Mr Panitan said Malaysia might have to pressure the insurgents to show up in Thailand. The real results on the ground would be apparent in the next few days - whether the younger generation of the militant RKK, a separate group, would show their defiance to the older and non-commanding figures being courted to the negotiating table.

"If things turn sour, Malaysia could twist our arms, saying peace is spoiled because Thailand did not agree with its proposed deals that the court has to release this and that person, guaranteeing safety and security of the insurgents, and giving them autonomy, etc. After all, Malaysia is a stakeholder here, it is part of the conflict; it's risky that we are dealing with them like this," said Mr Panitan.

Abdulrahman Abdulsamad, one of the newly appointed Wadah group advisers to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, said the accord was a big step toward peace, but the violence would not stop immediately.

"Israel and Palestine have peace agreements but the violence is always on and off. What is needed after the peace talks should include better education, better justice and decentralisation, so that the local people feel they have an ownership stake in the affairs imposed upon them," said Mr Abdulrahman, who is chairman of the newly set up Confederation of Islamic Councils in five southern provinces.

He said the people on the ground have now debated what they expect, such as a People's Council so they can discuss their affairs in their own dialect.

Somchai Homlaor, a member of the Law Reform Committee, said talking was better than killing but details of who, what, when, where and why in the agreement should be shared openly.

"This is not a deal involving the government's affairs, but the whole nation's, therefore the authorities concerned should expedite the process in a discreet and accountable manner," said Mr Somchai.

Somchai Homlaor (File Photo)

Mr Somchai said Malaysia should have shown sincerity in addressing several other transnational border problems such as drug trafficking and smuggling as well.

Artef Sohko, coordinator of the Pattani Academy for Peace and Development, also lauded the Malaysian cooperation, but noted that sustainability of the negotiation process undertaken by the Thai state was rather more important.

"There are some progressive minds in the bureaucracy but there is no continuity in those sound initiatives. Also, the mandate and scope of talks should be clearly identified," said Mr Artef.

He agreed with Mr Somchai that negotiations were the most effective tool in addressing the southern problem, and should be coupled with a common learning process involving the general Thai public as well.

"That those who think differently and are usually portrayed as bandits or criminals have become the party to talks with Thai authorities might be a shock for Thai society in general," he said.

"Therefore, this peace talks process needs to also be under the auspices of the rest of Thailand, not just  the three southernmost provinces," the Pattani activist said.

Mr Somchai added that in light of underlying political moves the Thai state should seriously take into account how best to engage and open space for discussions and include the aspirations of civil society  as well.

"Eventually, those who think differently from the Thai state, the separatists for example, will be talking in public rather than taking up guns and resorting to violence to raise their demands," said Mr Somchai.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/338128/a-long-way-to-go-after-south-deal

 

Rebel group ready to talk peace

BRN insurgents tipped to ink formal peace pact

• Published: 28 Feb 2013 at 00.00

KUALA LUMPUR - The national security chief signed a peace agreement with the insurgent group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) on Thursday just ahead of an official visit to Malaysia by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

It is the first formal engagement between the government and insurgents.

National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabutr said the BRN is a group that Malaysia believes operates in the deep South.

"It's another attempt by the government to tackle the unrest. It does not mean the peace agreement will end the ongoing violence."

The BRN official was identified as Hassan Taib, "chief of the BRN liaison office in Malaysia". Barisan Revolusi Nasional in Bahasa Malaysia means "National Revolutionary Front". It refers to the separatists' concept that the three southernmost provinces and part of Songkhla represent a distinct nation.

Secretary-General of Thailand's National Security Council, Paradorn Pattanathabutr, seated left, and chief of Thailand's National Revolution Front (BRN) liaison office in Malaysia, Hassan Taib (seated right), attend the signing ceremony of the general consensus document to launch a dialogue process for peace in the southern border provinces of Thailand, in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. (Reuters Photo)

The text of the agreement was not revealed, but Mr Hassan spoke briefly with reporters called in to cover the event.

"Allah willing, we will do our best to solve the problem. We will tell our people to work together to solve the problems," he said.

The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) was formed around 1960, and has used this flag as its symbol.

Lt Gen Paradorn, speaking on Wednesday evening ahead of the formal agreement, said, "While I can't guarantee the agreement will succeed, it must be better than letting the South burn on like this." 

He said the agreement was a result of the Thai-Malaysian Peace Dialogue signed after Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in the Malaysian capital recently.

Before the signing, a military source in Bangkok cautioned that while the BRN operates in the deep South, it does not control all militant cells, especially those at the operating level who still do not want to negotiate.

The national security chief also said the government is expected to hold talks with other southern insurgent leaders after Ms Yingluck comes back from Malaysia.

Lt Gen Paradorn was in Malaysia Wednesday to prepare the ground for Prime Minister Yingluck's visit Thursday.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to attend the Thailand-Malaysia annual consultation in Putrajaya and hold talks with Mr Najib on Thailand's request for Malaysia to help arrange for discussions with insurgents in the deep South.

Lt Gen Paradorn said before leaving Bangkok Wednesday that several rebel leaders had approached him for talks.

"I am verifying whether they are indeed based in Malaysia and whether talks are possible before I proceed and ask Kuala Lumpur for cooperation. We estimate there are fewer than 1,000 insurgency sympathisers in Malaysia," Lt Gen Paradorn said.

The army has estimated that about 9,000 militants are active in the deep South.

Lt Gen Paradorn said Mr Najib wanted to establish anti-insurgency cooperation not only with Thailand but with other countries in Asia as well.

The NSC chief is expected to sign an accord with his Malaysian counterpart that says the security chiefs will cooperate to tackle the insurgency.

He said the formal collaboration will allow authorities to monitor new areas and give the insurgents nowhere to turn but the negotiating table."The condition for the talks is that seceding is off the agenda. It's against our constitution," Lt Gen Paradorn said.

If the issue of allowing a special administrative zone comes up, the NSC will look into details and see if it contravenes the charter, he said.

"The talks will let us know what they think and want so that we can design some solutions.

"Everything will be based on the rule of law and the constitution," Lt Gen Paradorn said.

Security officials earlier voiced concern over Ms Yingluck's attempt to forge such a formalised "peace talk".

They said the government would be boosting the status of the insurgents if they enter into formal negotiations while weakening its own position.

Lt Gen Paradorn said asking for help from Malaysia does not mean Thailand is upgrading its domestic problem to the international level.

Prime Minister Yingluck Wednesday denied reports that her government planned to appoint former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as a security adviser.

Ms Yingluck said Gen Chavalit had experience in dealing with the southernmost provinces but she has not had any discussions with him.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat, who will accompany Ms Yingluck to Malaysia, said peace talks would be better than no talks at all.

"Any method or approach that will improve the situation in the South will be considered a good one. Negotiation is one option. It's nothing outrageous. How the discussion is arranged, whether we should have asked Malaysia to act as a facilitator, is a matter of detail," ACM Sukumpol said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government should exercise extreme caution before it enters into a formal agreement with any party.

"What is the role of Malaysia in this agreement? The government should be very careful because this is a very sensitive issue," Mr Abhisit said.

Meanwhile, in Narathiwat, two power poles on the Narathiwat-Pattani highway in Yi-ngo district were brought down by blasts late on Tuesday night. No one was hurt. Yingor police chief Pol Col Suthon Sukviseth said a 5kg improvised bomb was attached to each pole and then remotely detonated

 

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Text of the agreement between Thailand and the BRN

• Published: 28 Feb 2013 at 18.40

This is the full text of the agreement signed on Thursday by Thailand and a representative of the National Revolutionary Front (BRN) in Kuala Lumpur.

General Consensus on Peace Dialogue Process

The Government of Thailand has appointed the Secretary-General of the National Security Council (to be referred to as party A) to head the group supporting favourable environment creation for peace promotion in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand.

We are willing to engage in peace dialogue with people who have different opinions and ideologies from the state (to be referred to as party B) as one of the stakeholders in solving the Southern Border Provinces problem under the framework of the Thai Constitution while Malaysia would act as facilitator. Safety measures shall be provided to all members of the Joint Working Group throughout the entire process.

Done and signed in Kuala Lumpur on the 28th February 2013

(Signed)

For Party A Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut
For Party B Ustaz Hassan Taib

Witnessed by Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen bin Abdul Wahab Secretary of the National Security Council of Malaysia

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