BANGKOK, Feb 9 (CNA) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged to “do whatever is required and necessary” to facilitate the peace process in Thailand’s conflict-ridden south during his official visit to the neighbouring country on Thursday (Feb 9).
Mr Anwar expressed concern over armed conflicts in Thailand’s southern border provinces near northern Malaysia and promised to assist with the peace process.
“I come here with a very clear, categorical message that the Government of Malaysia will not condone any sort of violence to resolve any conflict,” he said during a joint press conference with his Thai counterpart Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House in Bangkok.
“We will exercise our right as friends, as family members – within both countries, Malaysia and Thailand, and ASEAN – to express our concern, whilst acknowledging the south of Thailand is purely an internal issue within Thailand, but it's our duty as good neighbors and family to do whatever is required and necessary to facilitate the process,” he added.
Thailand and Malaysia also agreed to appoint a facilitator, according to Mr Anwar. He ensured that there would be a solution to the lack of trust, and that issues of religion, culture and language will be addressed.
Thailand’s far south is home to the old Malay state of Patani, a formerly prosperous empire in the northern Malay peninsula before the occupation by Thailand – then known as Siam – in the 18th century.
Since then, several separatist movements have been formed to attempt to liberate the region from what the militants regard as unjust governance of the Thai state.
On Thursday, the two prime ministers stressed the importance of development in Southeast Asia and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on various fronts.
These include border area development and connectivity, trade and investment, as well as regional peace and stability.
“Importantly, both Datuk Seri Anwar and I recognised the importance of developing the area along the Thai-Malaysia border into a pillar of mutual wealth so that our joint border area becomes a golden land that is peaceful,” said Thai Prime Minister Prayut.
Both leaders also witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding between the two countries, which cover their collaboration in renewable energy, power generation, digital economy and interconnectivity.
