Trump chickens out again.

[Lite Beer]

SPECIAL REPORT
Release of ex-Pulo leader after many years in jail seen as a positive sign
SUPITCHA RATTANA,
PUCHIS PIRUNLAONG,
SOMCHAI SAMART
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE early release of Hajisama-ae Sulong, former leader of the separatist Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), has fuelled interest in dialogue as it is seen as a peace offering in the South.

Soon after his release, Hajisama-ae said he was ready and willing to help coordinate peace negotiations between the government and insurgent groups.

Hajisama-ae, better known as "Sama-ae Tha Nam", 63, was released on July 17 - the day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. In his newly obtained ID card, his name is spelt as Ma-ali Saa.

Hajisama-ae, who was given a life sentence for treason, was released after serving 18 years. Classified as "the best-class prisoner", he was given a royal pardon on several occasions, and when only four years were left in his term, the Justice Ministry suspended his sentence on grounds of good behaviour.

Hajisama-ae said that while in jail, he had not stopped thinking of ways to bring peace back to the deep South.

When violence in the region escalated under then-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's hawkish policies, Hajisama-ae wrote to him suggesting the start of peace talks. Thaksin accepted his proposal and sent government delegations to hold a peace dialogue in Malaysia with Wan Abdul Kadir Che Man, president of Bersatu, a former umbrella group of separatists.

However, these negotiations failed due to distrust on both sides, Hajisama-ae said, adding that this government must consider at three demands from "people with different opinions" for peace talks to be successful.

First would be to guarantee that members of rebels' peace talk teams are not arrested, second would to make peace talks part of the national agenda and third would be to accept the establishment and status of the Pattani Consultative Council. The council would be comprised of six rebel groups, including Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the Barisan Islam Pembebasan Patani (BIPP) and the Pertubuhan Persatuan Pembebasan Patani (Pulo-P4).

While serving time, Hajisama-ae said he drafted his own peace model based on His Majesty's philosophy of "understanding, reaching out and development". He said he would soon present his peace initiative to concerned state agencies.

He went on to say that his immediate objective would be to create jobs for local people in a move to eradicate poverty, adding that he plans to set up factories to produce halal or Muslim-certified foods.

Wachirawit Wachiralerphan, chief of Yala Central Prison, said Hajisama-ae would be of "great help" to the country, "provided the government knows how to use or get help from him".

"He is a man of few words, reserved and generous. He never assaulted any of his fellow inmates," he said, adding Hajisama-ae still maintained clout and strong leadership behind the bars.

When senior officials visited him in prison, he sought help not for himself, but for the interest of others, like asking for adequate water for all inmates. Sometimes he contacted local leaders to help solve problems of people behind bars, and every time he received donations or supplies, he would share them with others.

Hajisama-ae had a good rapport with wardens and never violated rules. "If he was told something is wrong, he accepted it without protest. He is not headstrong,"' Wachirawit said.

The former Pulo leader also pointed out that the earlier peace talks held during the Thaksin and Yingluck governments failed due to inconsistency. "Inconsistency creates insecurity and suspicion between both sides,'' he said. "Now that I'm free, I'm ready to be the link to help boost confidence. My early release is a good sign that can help restore the trust of local people in the government."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Release-of-ex-Pulo-leader-after-many-years-in-jail-30265223.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-26

[cookee68]

Well it looks like he ha got the rest of his life mapped out, and to be from rags to riches as well i think