13th June 2009, The massacre at Al Furqan mosque in Narathiwat’s Cho Airong district on Monday evening, which resulted in the death of 12 Muslim villagers and 11 seriously injured, represents the latest atrocity in the ongoing humanitarian tragedy that has resulted from the insurgency in Southern Thailand. The shooting of defenseless and unarmed villagers performing their evening prayers in a place of worship is an unconscionable and deplorable act, and I sincerely hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly identified and brought to justice by the Thai authorities.

However, this tragic incident cannot be viewed in isolation from the long-running cycle of violence between the Malay Muslim insurgency movement and Thai military forces that has resulted in over 3,400 deaths since 2004. It is clear that restoring peace to this troubled region will not be achieved by the suppression of the insurgency movement through the use of force by military authorities. Harsh repression of the region’s Malay Muslim community in a bid to halt violent activities has proved counterproductive in the past and has only added to the level of resentment and grievances, fuelling the insurgency movement and aiding recruitment for violent groups.

I welcome the new approach of the Thai government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, in recognizing that a solution to the violence in the region will depend on bringing economic development and “justice and opportunities” to the troubled areas. While the other causes of the conflict, including valid concerns over the preservation of local culture, language and religion, must also be addressed, I believe that providing economic opportunities for the people in Southern Thailand is key to finding a long-term solution to the current conflict.

Given the depth of resentment and mistrust between the parties involved, the success of plans for economic development will depend on reconciliation between the local community and the Thai Government. I strongly recommend the setting up of an independent commission, staffed by impartial and highly respected members drawn from both the local community and the Thai Government, to hold public hearings to investigate cases of violence and stop abuses that have marred community relations in the region for the past half-century.

An important next step will involve evaluating and changing the policies that disregard the ethnic and cultural identity of the Malay Muslim community in the region. In this regard, it is imperative that the Thai authorities actively engage and cooperate with local religious leaders to gain the support of the local community.

Given the security implications to both countries of an escalation of the conflict and the risk of potential infiltration by foreign extremists, I would strongly urge the current Malaysian administration, in cooperation with the Thai Government, to take a larger and more active role in the resolution of the current conflict, capitalizing on the trust and goodwill between the communities in the region and Malaysia.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opostion
Dewan Rakyat Malaysia