The second round of peace talks scheduled for April 29 between Thai security officials and representatives of separatist groups in Kuala Lumpur will likely be postponed because of the coming general election in Malaysia, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said on Tuesday.
Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut (EPA Photo)
"We've received a signal from Malaysia that the peace talks could be deferred, but this has nothing to do with the violent incidents in the deep South," Lt Gen Paradorn said.
The NSC, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgency movement, and the Malaysian government would jointly decide if the talks should be postponed, he said.
Asked about the recent spate of violence in the far South, he said it is the BRN's duty to talk with other insurgent groups to reduce the level of violence in the region.
"There'll be problems concerning the peace talks if violence continues," said Lt Gen Paradorn.
On the grenade attacks on the house of Najmuddin Uma, one of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's advisers on the deep South, the NSC secretary-general said the insurgents are targeting government officials.
He said he had instructed security officials to continue providing protection to civilians and not to underestimate the insurgents.
The Malaysian parliament was dissolved by Prime Minister Najib Razak on April 3. The general election must be held by June 27. The date is expected to be announced this week.