Malaysia appoints new facilitator for southern Thailand peace talks
Retired Lt Gen Ahmad Norihan bin Jalal replaces Mohd Rabin bin Basir as Malaysia’s facilitator, with a civil society leader highlighting changes in the talks’ leadership.
- Malaysia has appointed retired Lt Gen Dato’ Ahmad Norihan bin Jalal as the new facilitator for the peace dialogue process in southern Thailand.
- Ahmad Norihan is a former director general of defence intelligence with over 33 years of military experience, chosen to bring new momentum to the talks.
- He will mediate the ongoing peace dialogue between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).
- The appointment is considered an important milestone, with observers noting the new facilitator's military background.
Malaysia’s National Security Council, under the Prime Minister’s Department, announced in a statement on Saturday (October 17, 2026) the formal appointment of retired Lt Gen Dato’ Ahmad Norihan bin Jalal as the Malaysian government’s new facilitator for the peace dialogue process in Thailand’s southern border provinces.
Ahmad Norihan succeeds Datuk Haji Mohd Rabin bin Basir, who has completed his assignment.
A senior military officer with expertise in security affairs, Ahmad Norihan served as Malaysia’s 17th director general of defence intelligence from August 1, 2020, to November 30, 2023.
His military career spanned more than 33 years in the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), with prominent roles in security analysis, strategic intelligence and the management of international operations.
The Malaysian government’s statement said Ahmad Norihan’s expertise, leadership and credibility would bring new momentum and strengthen Malaysia’s role as an intermediary trusted by all parties, helping advance the peace dialogue process constructively and sustainably.
Anchana Heemmina, president of the Duayjai Association, a civil society organisation in Thailand’s southern border provinces, described the appointment as an important milestone requiring close attention, particularly regarding the direction of talks between the Thai government and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).
She noted the transition involving Thailand’s new military leader and a Malaysian facilitator with a military background, alongside the civilian roles of the heads of the Thai and BRN dialogue delegations.
