'Headless' insurgents meet in haste

'Headless' insurgents meet in haste

The Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), an insurgent movement in the deep South, is still struggling to pick a replacement for former president Kamae Yuso who passed away on Oct 25, a source said.

An administrative body of the Pulo known as the Dewan Syura Pimpinan PULO (DSPP) assembled the Majlis Presiden Pulo Leadership Council (MPP) on Monday to discuss the group's problems, operation plans and line of authority and responsibility.

The source, who declined to be named, cited the work of intelligence officers in the restive region to back up those claims.

Pulo agreed from Oct 8, 2011 to set up the DSPP as a temporary body to administer affairs related to its activities and unification, reports say.

MPP meetings are held every three years and the latest took place in Kuala Lumpur, the source said.

Twelve key figures from the group attended, and seven of them were identified by name, the source added.

They were Lukman Binlima, vice president of the group; Rozi Hazan Lubotopeng, the group secretary; Ustasmae Hicham, public relations officer; Rusdi Yi-ngo; Zuber Huzen; Bueraheng Yah and Zaki Abdullah, according to the source.

It was reportedly agreed that Mr Lukman would take charge of the group's political affairs while Mr Rozi would handle security and Mr Zuber would be in charge of managing and administering the group.

The chief goal was to unify the organisation and its roles before a new president is selected, said the source.

The results of the meeting were announced before 68 members of the group including Hashimah Bindi Muhammadzaid, the wife of its late president.

Ahwang Jabat, a member of the Barisan Revolusi Naional (BRN) separatist movement, also attended in his capacity as president of the Mara Patani umbrella organisation of six insurgent groups operating in the southern border provinces, the source claimed.

Intra-group conflict is hampering efforts to name a new leader, the person said.

In related news, a key Pulo figure who was active in plotting terror attacks near the Thai-Malaysian border died on Saturday as a result of chronic disease.

He passed away in a village in Pasir Mas district of Kelantan, Malaysia, just 12km from the border, the source said.

The man was identified as Sama-ae Late, 57, a resident of Ban Bue Ra-ngae in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district.

Another Pulo member said the group has now launched an official website (www.puloinfo.org) to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Thai security forces claimed earlier this month they are winning the war against insurgents in the South but market bombings and bus arson attacks continue. They are adopting an approach which includes locals in development projects to draw them away from the insurgents.

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