ID :
53050
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 09:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/53050
The shortlink copeid
POLITICAL SOLUTION FOR THAI CONFLICT, SAYS ANWAR
By D.Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, March 31 (Bernama) -- Political solution and cultural space should be given priority over military operation in solving the Southern Thai conflict, Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Monday.
He said while military intervention was necessary in some instances, the
long term solutions would depend on how the Thai Government engaged with the
local community.
"My position is political solution is the way to solve the problem. Let the
army return to barracks, let the Muslims and Buddhists work out a
solution...various government officials that I have met here have acknowledged
that they must build trust," he told the media after delivering a talk on
"Global Economic Crisis and the Future of Asean" at Chulalongkorn University
here.
Anwar said the Malaysian Government would be able to assist the Thai
Government in finding an end to the conflict, adding that Kelantan Menteri Besar
Datuk Seri Nik Aziz was among the people with influence who could offer their
help.
Furthermore, he said Thailand should also allow the Muslim-majority Malay
speaking community to continue with their religious and socio-cultural beliefs,
similar to the freedom enjoyed by the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
"The authorities must also address the issue of poverty and
marginalisation...there must be a road map and a time frame.
"Efforts must also be made to correct the perception that religious freedom
does not exist...there are many mosques and religious schools," he said.
More than 3,500 people have died since separatist groups resumed their armed
campaign in January, 2004 to seek independence for the Muslim-majority provinces
of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
Asked about Malaysian politics, Anwar said he hoped that incoming Prime
Minister Najib Tun Razak would not undermine democracy and press
freedom, adding that they were concerned with the recent banning of two
opposition party newspapers.
"He is being perceived as being in the same camp and same style of
government (authoritarian) with my former boss (Dr Mahathir Mohamad). I
cannot say what he (Najib) intends to do, but I hope sanity will prevail," he
said.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, March 31 (Bernama) -- Political solution and cultural space should be given priority over military operation in solving the Southern Thai conflict, Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Monday.
He said while military intervention was necessary in some instances, the
long term solutions would depend on how the Thai Government engaged with the
local community.
"My position is political solution is the way to solve the problem. Let the
army return to barracks, let the Muslims and Buddhists work out a
solution...various government officials that I have met here have acknowledged
that they must build trust," he told the media after delivering a talk on
"Global Economic Crisis and the Future of Asean" at Chulalongkorn University
here.
Anwar said the Malaysian Government would be able to assist the Thai
Government in finding an end to the conflict, adding that Kelantan Menteri Besar
Datuk Seri Nik Aziz was among the people with influence who could offer their
help.
Furthermore, he said Thailand should also allow the Muslim-majority Malay
speaking community to continue with their religious and socio-cultural beliefs,
similar to the freedom enjoyed by the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
"The authorities must also address the issue of poverty and
marginalisation...there must be a road map and a time frame.
"Efforts must also be made to correct the perception that religious freedom
does not exist...there are many mosques and religious schools," he said.
More than 3,500 people have died since separatist groups resumed their armed
campaign in January, 2004 to seek independence for the Muslim-majority provinces
of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
Asked about Malaysian politics, Anwar said he hoped that incoming Prime
Minister Najib Tun Razak would not undermine democracy and press
freedom, adding that they were concerned with the recent banning of two
opposition party newspapers.
"He is being perceived as being in the same camp and same style of
government (authoritarian) with my former boss (Dr Mahathir Mohamad). I
cannot say what he (Najib) intends to do, but I hope sanity will prevail," he
said.
-- BERNAMA
