Rebels want govt to make solving unrest in South a national priority

The Mara Patani (Majis Syura Patani) group comprises six rebel groups – three factions of Patani Liberation Organisation (Pulo); the Gerakan Mujahideen Islami Pattani (GMIP), the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) and the Barisan Islam Perberbasan Pattani (BIPP).

Their representatives who met with Thai negotiators in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday joined the press briefing. Yesterday’s meeting was the first peace talks by the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha.

They said the umbrella group is set up so all of the dissidents can discuss developments swiftly with unity. Malaysia has acted as a facilitator of the peace talks.

The umbrella’s representatives at the press briefing yesterday were: Arief Mukhtar from the Pulo-MKP; Abu Yasin from the GMIP; Hayimadmut Chuwo from the BRN; Awang Jabat from the BRN, who will also serve as MARA Patani president; Sukree Haree from the BRN who will head the umbrella’s negotiating team; Abu Hafit al Hakim from BIPP; and Abuagram Bin Hasan from Pulo. 

Awang, the group’s chairman, said: “Our principle is to find a solution through peaceful dialogue. We hope we can bring the conflict to an end and promote a lasting peace.”

He said Thai representatives at this week's dialogue were noncommittal, saying they had to consult with the Thai government.

He affirmed that the group’s next move would be a good thing, saying his group was different from the previous one (involved in talks with the former regime) as it would be more open for other groups to join. “We will not limit only with the existing six groups but also welcome the non-governmental organisations or civil sector [groups].”

“If all groups gathered under this umbrella, unrest in the deep South could lessen, although that would take some time to achieve. Some groups still disagree with the peace talks, but it must go on,” Awang said.

“The establishment of MARA Patani has been done to adopt a peaceful means of fighting. As for the violence and use of arms, there must be steps towards the end of violence from both sides,” he said.

Sukree said the August 25 session saw the umbrella representatives ask Thai delegates to accept three demands, which include to make the deep South unrest a national priority to ensure the talks’ continue even if the government changes and to accept and provide legal protection for the umbrella group’s team of 15 people.

Sukree said the BRN had been fighting since 1960 “underground” but he affirmed the BRN – believed to be the main group active in the region – had no policy to attack “soft targets”. 

The MARA Patani also said they were considering the Thai requests – the creation of safe zones, life quality development for local residents and the access to justice procedures.

Meanwhile, PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said that both sides were now in the process of building mutual trust and confidence. “Both sides are now putting on the table their opinions and needs and talk if they can be accepted. If there is something that each cannot accept, they will have to discuss it to find a solution,” the minister said.