NARATHIWAT, March 2 — The Malaysian Government’s chief facilitator for the Southern Thailand Peace Dialogue Process Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin wants the local people in southern Thailand to follow the latest developments in the negotiations and support the peace initiative.
He wants the locals to understand the peace negotiation process between the Thai government and the National Revolutionary Front (BRN) which aims to find a solution to end the conflict and establish peace in southern Thailand.
Zulkifli also hoped members of the local Islamic Religious Council committee would play a role in conveying the latest and accurate information as well as providing explanations regarding the peace negotiations to the local population.
“With the latest explanation and information, I hope the local leaders and residents will support the peace talks,” he said.
Zulkilfi, who is currently on a four-day working visit to Southern Thailand starting from Tuesday (February 28), held a meeting with local leaders and residents to explain the Southern Thailand Peace Dialogue process, which is now entering its 10th year.
This is his first working visit to Southern Thailand after being appointed as the Malaysian government’s chief facilitator on January 1 this year.
“The aim of the visit was to listen to suggestions and views from local residents and stakeholders in addition to building understanding and trust to facilitate negotiations,” Zulkifli said.
Malaysia is the facilitator for the peace negotiation process in ending the conflict in the troubled regions in the south of Thailand — Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and several districts in Songkhla.
On Wednesday, he held a meeting with the President of the Pattani Islamic Religious Council Waederamae Matmingchik in Pattani, and the President of the Narathiwat Islamic Religious Council Safie Chelah.
He also visited Masjid Wadil Al Hussein which is also known as Masjid Teluk Manok in Narathiwat.
— Bernama
