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.
© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd
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
© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd
Malaysia perantara sesi dialog
Oleh Norliza Abd. Rahman dan Hashnan
Abdullah
pengarang@utusan.com.my
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.
© 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
© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd
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.
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
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.
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
http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/337998/rebel-group-ready-to-deal
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
For Party B Ustaz Hassan Taib
Witnessed by Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen bin Abdul
Wahab Secretary of the National Security Council of Malaysia