Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says he is satisfied with Kuala Lumpur's facilitator in peace talks between Thailand and an insurgency group in southern Thailand.
Police inspector-general Abdul Rahim Mohd Noo was appointed as the new facilitator on Aug 25, replacing Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim.
The Bernama news agency said there were some opposition to the appointment.
Dr Mahathir said he was happy with the role of the new facilitator, although he met Mr Noo only a few times, the Bernama news agency reported on Sunday.
“Finding a solution to the southern Thailand problem is not easy because the conflict involves many factions. We have to seek the views of all the factions besides knowing their interests,” Bernama quoted him as saying in a press conference.
Dr Mahathir was at Rangsit University on Sunday to receive an honorary doctorate degree in social leadership, business and politics.
Malaysia has facilitated talks between the Thai government and Mara Patani, which claimed to be an umbrella organisation of the insurgent groups in the South.
The Malaysian prime minister in October promised to bring peace to the region in talks with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Dr Mahathir on Sunday also criticised Australia's move to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.