Thai Talk

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Thursday , October 29 , 2009

What does Najib Razak mean by 'autonomy' for the South?

Posted by Yoon , Reader : 774 , 05:16:21

In what context did Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speak when he mentioned "autonomy" for Thailand's southern Muslim population? That question was asked me by Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva the day after his Malaysian counterpart raised the issue with me during an exclusive interview in Hua Hin on Saturday night, on the sidelines of the Asean Summit. PM Najib isn't the first Malaysian leader to suggest some sort of autonomy for the three southernmost Thai provinces. Nor will he be the last. But Malaysia's new premier's answers to some of my specific questions on this issue shed some light on how the two countries might handle the common problem more effectively. Suthichai Yoon: I understand you're coming to Thailand in December. Najib: I'm coming for an annual consultation, and Prime minister Abhisit has suggested I should go to southern Thailand. I have accepted his invitation and we will be going down together. Q: This will be the first time for the two prime ministers to tour the southern border together. A: Well, my predecessor went with Prime Minister Surayud for the opening of a bridge (project). Q: What's your thinking on the south of Thailand? A: I think it is not an intractable problem. It is a problem that can be resolved, because the people in the south ... their demands are not so onerous. Their demands are within the realm of … you can consider their demands. They are not going for independence. That's totally out of the question Q: Really out of the question? A: Completely out of the question. What I've been telling them, what we have been telling them, is to be part of some form of autonomy. You may not even want to call it "autonomy", but at least some form of them participating in things that matter to them. For example, in education; in selecting their local leaders; in employment; the question of religious education. These are things that matter to them. It does not intrude into the fundamental question related to the Constitution of Thailand - or how Thailand is governed. But these are things that the government can consider for their people. Q: How far do you think Thailand should go in allowing autonomy? A: It is not for me to decide. I want to make it very clear that this is a domestic consideration. This is internal. We want to be as helpful as possible. You, the Thais, must be comfortable with the level of autonomy. Q: Malaysia plays a very important role in this regard. A: Yes. I mean our part is to be supportive, that's all. But we're not going to negotiate on your behalf. We're not going to go beyond what a good neighbour would do. We must respect Thailand's sovereignty. Q: Is the suspicion still there that there is support for the extremists in the South from the other side of the border? A: No, absolutely not Q: Both unofficial and official? A: Absolutely not. Q: Perhaps support might not have come from the central government but rather from certain groups, political groups, that benefit from the problems on the border. A: I think it is not the case. The level of suspicion, I would say, is almost negligible. We have this problem of people who cross over because they are dual citizens. And we would like to solve this problem. Maybe about 20 to 25,000 are dual citizens, but I think we should ask them to make a choice. They have to decide whether to be Malaysian citizens or Thai citizens. Q: But that issue has been discussed for a long time. A: I know Q: Why hasn't it been solved? A: It's for both sides to sit down and take a look at the technical aspects of it. Q: PULO [the Patani United Liberation Organisation] and related organisations have said they want to set up a so-called Republic of Patani. So, it's not just autonomy they are demanding. It's independence, a separate state. Would Malaysia consider having a Patani Republic as a neighbour? A: No, absolutely not. We will tell them that it's no go. It is something that is not realistic for them to demand, and they should not demand it. They should be good Muslims and good Thai citizens. They must be loyal to Thailand, to the King, to the constitution of Thailand, but at the same time they should be good Muslims and they should be allowed to be good Muslims. And the system here in Thailand should allow for that - as much as we allow in Malaysia.

In what context did Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speak when he mentioned "autonomy" for Thailand's southern Muslim population? That question was asked me by Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva the day after his Malaysian counterpart raised the issue with me during an exclusive interview in Hua Hin on Saturday night, on the sidelines of the Asean Summit.

PM Najib isn't the first Malaysian leader to suggest some sort of autonomy for the three southernmost Thai provinces. Nor will he be the last. But Malaysia's new premier's answers to some of my specific questions on this issue shed some light on how the two countries might handle the common problem more effectively.

Suthichai Yoon: I understand you're coming to Thailand in December.

Najib: I'm coming for an annual consultation, and Prime minister Abhisit has suggested I should go to southern Thailand. I have accepted his invitation and we will be going down together.

Q: This will be the first time for the two prime ministers to tour the southern border together.

A: Well, my predecessor went with Prime Minister Surayud for the opening of a bridge (project).

Q: What's your thinking on the south of Thailand?

A: I think it is not an intractable problem. It is a problem that can be resolved, because the people in the south ... their demands are not so onerous. Their demands are within the realm of … you can consider their demands. They are not going for independence. That's totally out of the question

Q: Really out of the question?

A: Completely out of the question. What I've been telling them, what we have been telling them, is to be part of some form of autonomy. You may not even want to call it "autonomy", but at least some form of them participating in things that matter to them. For example, in education; in selecting their local leaders; in employment; the question of religious education. These are things that matter to them. It does not intrude into the fundamental question related to the Constitution of Thailand - or how Thailand is governed. But these are things that the government can consider for their people.

Q: How far do you think Thailand should go in allowing autonomy?

A: It is not for me to decide. I want to make it very clear that this is a domestic consideration. This is internal. We want to be as helpful as possible. You, the Thais, must be comfortable with the level of autonomy.

Q: Malaysia plays a very important role in this regard.

A: Yes. I mean our part is to be supportive, that's all. But we're not going to negotiate on your behalf. We're not going to go beyond what a good neighbour would do. We must respect Thailand's sovereignty.

Q: Is the suspicion still there that there is support for the extremists in the South from the other side of the border?

A: No, absolutely not

Q: Both unofficial and official?

A: Absolutely not.

Q: Perhaps support might not have come from the central government but rather from certain groups, political groups, that benefit from the problems on the border.

A: I think it is not the case. The level of suspicion, I would say, is almost negligible. We have this problem of people who cross over because they are dual citizens. And we would like to solve this problem. Maybe about 20 to 25,000 are dual citizens, but I think we should ask them to make a choice. They have to decide whether to be Malaysian citizens or Thai citizens.

Q: But that issue has been discussed for a long time.

A: I know

Q: Why hasn't it been solved?

A: It's for both sides to sit down and take a look at the technical aspects of it.

Q: PULO [the Patani United Liberation Organisation] and related organisations have said they want to set up a so-called Republic of Patani. So, it's not just autonomy they are demanding. It's independence, a separate state. Would Malaysia consider having a Patani Republic as a neighbour?

A: No, absolutely not. We will tell them that it's no go. It is something that is not realistic for them to demand, and they should not demand it. They should be good Muslims and good Thai citizens. They must be loyal to Thailand, to the King, to the constitution of Thailand, but at the same time they should be good Muslims and they should be allowed to be good Muslims. And the system here in Thailand should allow for that - as much as we allow in Malaysia.

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comment 9
Plaadip date : 30/10/2009 time : 10.01

The Malaysian PM may be suggesting that the governer elections like Bagnkok should be introduced in the area. It's worth while to try. How about the education? I think they have considerable freedom of Islamic education. Employment. Are their employment condition worse than the general situation of Isan?

I think the suggestions of Malay PM is half-hearted. Maybe he wanted to have his own constituency hear his remarks more Thais.

comment 8
Pomjuk date : 30/10/2009 time : 07.40
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/pomjuk

You are making me feel like a celebrity here.

comment 7
notdisappointed date : 29/10/2009 time : 21.05

Here's a picture of a yellow trash anti-monarchist.

Wants to be a 'bad' boy ends up just a fool.

comment 6
panya date : 29/10/2009 time : 18.22
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/diversion

I reckon partial autonomy, certainly in religion and selecting local leaders, would appease greatly. The former for social behavior, the latter for representation to and interpretation of government.

A reduction in militarist confrontation might be invaluable too.

It is unrealistic to expect those with such a different culture to listen and cooperate with an authority who have such a limited understanding of them.

comment 5
Plaadip date : 29/10/2009 time : 12.28

"but at least some form of them participating in things that matter to them. For example, in education; in selecting their local leaders; in employment; the question of religious education."

....... Are they not selecting their own local leaders? How about other ascpect?

comment 4
wch date : 29/10/2009 time : 11.40
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/wch

As long as giving an automony is concerned in Thai souths, the three provinces of Malaysian norths can't be separated.

Kelantan, Trengganu, and Kehah are same racial, ethnic and language group as Thai souths of Pattani, Yala and Rarathiwat and the most important points is,

1. Six provinces were under a federation by leadership of Pattani Kingdom in the most part of their history.
Malaysian 3 provinces were hostile to Malacca province leading, Malaysia that was recently federated by then- departing colonial power - Imperialistc Britain, and its resentment still remains against the single party Malacca power - UMNO.
(*Dr. Mahatir was born in Kelantan and started his medical career in the province before turned to the politician. This was fragile glue to the central power so far. But the time is changed).

2. Eventually Thai southern muslim separation movement is rooted in Malaysian 3 provinces and their fist step of campaign is to separate Thai part first and the next is Malaysian 3 provinces.
Their utmost goal is to recover the old glory of Pattani Kingdom. (present Thai administration district of 'Changwat Pattani' was dwarfed size).

3. This Sumatran migrant ethnicity, helped the militarist Japan to have invaded Malacca British colonial forces by hope to unify all 6 provinces.
Japanese took this weakest connection out of powerless Siam kingdom first and Siamese easily gave the land to Japan without remorse as if it did then-bassal Cambodia and Laos to the invading French colonial power.

4. Japanese defeat came too early to the Pattanites before preparing an self-determination appeal to UN. (or they were clumsily judged in world great land demarcation process and failed to have sent their representatives to UN or the parley of big 3 or 4 meeting at Tehran, Cairo, Yalta and so on).

5. I believe all 6 provinces will elect their unified political unit like IRA and represent in international arena such as UN.

In this view, what both, or either of two sovereign government can do in the future ?.

Autonomy means much indeed if both countries are ready,,,,,
and this text (interview) is also one of clumsy one that forgot the real political points.

comment 3
Pomjuk date : 29/10/2009 time : 10.35
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/pomjuk

yeah keep talking to yourself.

comment 2
notdisappointed date : 29/10/2009 time : 10.16

I believe that as a brand new leader of a country, Prime Minister Najib Razak has a better understanding of "Comity of Nations" then does a Khmer leader with 20 years.

What PM Razak suggest are not too onerous and can be discussed to ensure praticality and within the laws and Constitution of Thailand.

comment 1
Alien date : 29/10/2009 time : 08.17
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/alien

I think this brings back the contention of some that the Muslims want to start a "caliphate" that would extend from southern Thailand, to the southern Phillipines. It would include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. They believe this is warranted due to the fact that these are Muslim majority areas. I would assume they also intend to institute "sharia" law if this caliphate ever came into being. "Autonomy" for the southern portion of Thailand may be "getting the camel's nose into the tent". Take a little here and go for the gold later.

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