Reset the Thai-Malaysia peace efforts in South

[webfact]

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Reset the Thai-Malaysia peace efforts in South
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha minced few words when he met with Prime Minister Najib Razak last Monday in Kuala Lumpur. "Malaysia is the one and only," he declared point-blank in English to Najib, referring unmistakably to his country's status as a facilitator in the ongoing dialogue process in southern Thailand.

With those few words, Prayut quickly put to rest Kuala Lumpur's deep suspicion of his government's ambiguity following a widespread rumour of inviting Indonesia to join in the peace dialogue.

Prayut's straight-talking manner was unusual in the annals of Thai-Malaysia encounters. His predecessors, mainly the Shinawatra family - comprising Thaksin and Yingluck - were different when holding talks with Najib as they were not as direct.

Prayut assured Najib that Thailand was fully on board for the peace talks and has assigned a new team in charge together with new structures. He introduced the new team leader, General Aksara Kerdphol, chairman of the Army's advisory board, who was immediately welcomed by Najib. Earlier, Kuala Lumpur reportedly was unhappy with the switch in negotiators, fearing a lack of continuity.

At the national level, the newly established Steering Committee for Dialogue will oversee the policies in a more integrated manner - relating to security/safety, administration of justice, public awareness and education, economic development, local governance and conflict prevent/management in the southern provinces.

The prime minister chairs the 10-member committee and the secretary-general of the National Security Council serves as its secretary. At the regional level, the Area-based Interagency Coordination Working Group will implement policies, action parts and work to create a conducive environment for peace talks, including establishing new channels to reach out to insurgent groups.

Interviews with the Thai delegates attending the summit revealed some tense moments with Najib when Prayut kept on asking for tangible answers on legal aspects of dual citizenship and the ongoing projects across the Kolok River, linking Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang and Tak Bai with Pengkalan Kubor.

It was only at the lunch reception that the two leaders were able to gain a comfort level and share relaxing moments together. Songs by Western groups the "Bee Gees" and the "Carpenters" performed by a Malaysian band filled the air with melody to put the two leaders at ease. As if on queue, one of the three Thai songs performed was "Khoo Kad" or "Quarreled Couples"— a Thai pop hit by Bird Thongchai with lyrics detailing the bickering nature of close couples and neighbours.

The atmosphere last week was a far cry from the past when Thai-Malaysia relations hit rock bottom at the end of 2004 when former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra threatened to walk out of the Asean Summit at Vientiane in November of that year if his Malaysian counterpart, Abdullah Badawi, brought up the Takbai incident. More than the officials would like to admit, for the past decade the two countries have been trying to restore mutual trust that was the hallmark of their relations after Malaysia's independence.

Among Asean members, Malaysia has been reluctant to engage the Prayut government, judging from the brief encounter on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Summit in October in Milan. Thailand is hoping after Prayut's visit and strong commitment to the peace process that Malaysia will become more active in working with his government. Three rounds of bilateral talks at various levels - the 6th Annual Consultation, 13th Joint Commission for Bilateral Developments and 4th Joint Development Strategy - are scheduled for the first half of next year.

Thailand also wishes to hold a high-level meeting to discuss security matters exclusively. As part of the long-term development process and to restore normalcy, there will be a phased reduction of soldiers stationed in the three provinces from the current level of over 60,000, to 15,000 troops. Towards the end of the discussion, the Thai side appealed to the Malaysian leader that when the peace process resumed next time, the facilitator should loop in "all" insurgent groups. Some of them have been sidelined in the peace process. To encourage an inclusive dialogue, the Thai security echelon must also change its mind-set and ensure safety for those taking part in the peace process.

We shouldn't forget that Thai-Malaysia relations are multifaceted. While the southern insurgency remains a very high priority, both sides must not lose sight of strengthening the development and economic agenda. With the latest announcement of a special economic zone in Songkhla, it is clear that Thailand wants to improve the standards for people also living in Yala, Satun, Pattani, Narathiwat and link them with their friends and relatives in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Pengkalan Hulu.

The enhancement of human security and well-being in these provinces and their closely knit communities on both sides, is the only way to effectively end violence and conflict in southern Thailand.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Reset-the-Thai-Malaysia-peace-efforts-in-South-30249311.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-08

[chainarong]

Malaysia over the decades have not lifted a hand to try and solve the problems in the South , indeed on some occasions they have turned a blind eye into terrorist activities, Malaysia did plenty of talking along with the PTP but without any result , they position themselves as the end all to be all but in reality they are a part of the problem, religion makes a strange bed fellows.

[simple1]

Back in 1998 Malaysia did renege on promises to members of a militant group attending talks by handing three of them over to Thai authorities; they are still in prison. It is alleged their leader Sapae-ing Basor is now a main player with BRN-C, who it is claimed are the closest to the armed militants, the Juwae; although its an open question who has any real influence, if any, with the Juwae. Media reports claim Sapae-ing Basor has an ongoing distrust of the Malaysian authorities. I would assume it is essential to engage with him and others like him to assist with bringing to the table any form of a meaningful roadmap to peace.

Malaysia did constructively assist the Philippine government to bring about a peace agreement that is still on track to end an insurgency that had cost approx 140k lives over forty years.

[BestBitterPhuket]

Many high ranking Malay "ultras" have always been of the opinion that those three province should be part of Malaysia. They were provinces inhabited by Malays and ruled by Malay sultans, and subsequently occupied by Thailand and later flooded with "infidels" and non-Malays. Based on views like these, and the ever increasing religious and racial sentiments at home in Malaysia, it is highly unlikely that Malaysia will do anything but continue to sabotage the peace process and security efforts. The Malaysian government can't be trusted.

[bapoboy]

can anyone tell me why there is so much unrest in southern Thailand? and bombing and killing all the time?

Thanks.

[impulse]

can anyone tell me why there is so much unrest in southern Thailand? and bombing and killing all the time?

Thanks.

Here's a good start

http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/docs/Publications2012/SheddenPapers12_120306_ConflictinThailand_Nurakkate.pdf

[vogie]

can anyone tell me why there is so much unrest in southern Thailand? and bombing and killing all the time?

Thanks.

Its the only language some religions know?

[rickirs]

"Malaysia is the one and only,"

This is simply a strategy to shift any failure in peace talks from the NCPO to Malaysia that translates to "You are the only one who can make it work." So the NCPO is relieved as a "stakeholder" in peace talks and can continue with its tried and failed negotiation practices. It is using Malaysia to pressure the insurgents to come to peace talks on NCPO preconditions.

Malaysia is NOT the one and only. Thailand is the one and only. The Southern Malay Thai insurgency is about Thailand Buddhist-led sovereignty over an Islamic population of a land that was culturally part of a sultan kingdom. But Gen. Prayuth has stated that the military will never give up Thailand sovereignty in any resolution. The fact this "one and only" strategy is being used before the NCPO even faces the insurgents over a peace table implies a very low or zero expectation by the NCPO to achieve peace with the insurgents, at least by 2016.

Edited December 8, 2014 by rickirs