POLITICAL solution and cultural space should be given priority over military operation in solving the Southern Thai conflict, Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday.
He said while military intervention was necessary in some instances, the long term solutions would depend on how the Thai Government engaged with the local community.
"My position is political solution is the way to solve the problem. Let the army return to barracks, let the Muslims and Buddhists work out a solution...various government officials that I have met here have acknowledged that they must build trust," he told the media after delivering a talk on "Global Economic Crisis and the Future of Asean" at Chulalongkorn University here.
Anwar said the Malaysian Government would be able to assist the Thai Government in finding an end to the conflict, adding that Kelantan Chief Minister Nik Aziz was among the people with influence who could offer their help.
Furthermore, he said Thailand should also allow the Muslim-majority Malay speaking community to continue with their religious and socio-cultural beliefs, similar to the freedom enjoyed by the Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
"The authorities must also address the issue of poverty and marginalisation...there must be a road map and a time frame.
Bernama
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Print this article
Email this article
Twitter
Facebook
