Malaysia Alert: Possible Attack In South Thailand

[george]

M'sia on alert: Possible attack in southern Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia is maintaining tight security along its border with Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said today, amid reports of a possible attack by Muslim militants in southern Thailand.

"Our security forces are on alert at the border areas (with southern Thailand)," he told reporters.

Najib, who is also the defence minister said Malaysian security personnel were gathering intelligence and monitoring the situation closely, adding that Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok were exchanging information.

"We are working closely with the Thais. Intelligence units of both sides have been exchanging information," he said.

Najib's comments followed reports in a foreign newspaper quoting intelligence officials warning of a major attack by militants in Thai's restive southern provinces.

Porous border

Malaysia's northern border with southern Thailand is separated by a porous border that can be easily crossed without passing through checkpoints.

The region was plagued by separatist violence until the 1980s when the government managed to curb militant activity, but in the last few years violence has flared again.

In April, Thai police and military killed 108 suspected Muslim rebels who launched attacks in three provinces in the bloodiest day of violence in recent Thai history.

Following the incident Malaysia and Thailand pledged closer cooperation to curb further attacks in Thailand's southern provinces.

Najib said Malaysia would not ban local tourists from visiting southern Thailand but urged them to be alert.

"We remind them that the area is still exposed to terrorist threats and they must take extra precautions," he said.

Malaysia has had no major extremist attacks on its own soil, but has detained some 90 alleged militants suspected of membership in regional groups such as the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for the 2002 Bali bombing.

- AFP 2004-07-23