KUALA LUMPUR: The Armed Forces have submitted several names to the Prime Minister for consideration as Malaysia’s next facilitator for the southern Thailand peace process.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who revealed this, said the appointment was important to ensure Malaysia could continue helping all parties work towards ending the long-running conflict in the region.
“We hope a facilitator can be appointed so that we can help all parties bring peace to southern Thailand.
“We know this is not an easy task. We have been involved in this issue for a long time and are aware that there are various groups and parties that need to be brought together to ensure peace can be achieved,” he said after the ministry-level launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign yesterday.
Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia would not allow its territory to be used as a hiding place or safe haven by groups resorting to violence and rejecting the peace process.
“We will give our full cooperation to the Thai authorities to ensure that this does not happen,” he said.
He said the Armed Forces would continue tightening controls and surveillance along the Malaysia-Thai border to prevent violence in southern Thailand from spilling over.
“We will ensure that no elements infiltrate. The only way to enter Malaysia is through official entry points,” he said.
Last Saturday, Narathiwat was placed under a curfew following more than 50 incidents, including bombings, burning of local government offices and tyre fires.
A powerful explosion there also shook homes and caused concern among residents along the Malaysia-Thai border, including those in Kampung Lubok Gong and Kampung Tersang in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.
Mohamed Khaled also said Malaysia was awaiting a response from the supplier of the missile system intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) after discussions were held and claims submitted over the disrupted procurement.
He said the government would consider its next course of action once it received feedback from the company.
“We are awaiting their response. Once there is feedback, I will refer the matter to the government for further consideration and a decision,” he said.
The issue arose after Norway revoked the export licence for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system intended for the LCS programme, prompting Malaysia to pursue compensation and seek a resolution with the Norwegian supplier.
The NSM was originally procured to provide the LCS with its primary anti-ship strike capability.Malaysia had paid about 95% of the missile contract, while the ministry said the systems had been manufactured, tested and were ready for delivery when the export licence issue arose.
Earlier in his speech, Mohamed Khaled said patriotism was not only reflected in what Malaysians did for the country but also in the actions they chose to avoid.
He said patriotism should go beyond symbolic acts and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the nation’s founding generation and security forces.
He added that Malaysians should refrain from using positions of trust, responsibility and power for personal gain, stressing that public service should not become a platform for seeking profit, popularity or temporary enjoyment.
