Malaysia pledges help between Thailand, armed groups

By Omer Faruk Yildiz

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - Malaysia’s prime minister on Wednesday said his country would aid “in whatever way possible” to put an end to fighting in southern Thailand between security forces and armed groups.

In a joint press conference with his Thai counterpart, Mahathir Mohamad told reporters that Malaysia pledges “to help in whatever way possible to end this violence in the south.”

The remarks followed a meeting between Mahathir and Prayuth Chan-ocha in which the two leaders said they discussed negotiations between the sides as well as the situation on the ground and future measures concerning the conflict in the southern province of Pattani.

Prayuth said that the two leaders understood “each other better on our concerns and limitations,” stressing that the issue was an internal matter to Thailand.

He added that negotiations would “continue, with Malaysia as the facilitator.”

Peace negotiations mediated by Malaysia to put an end to fighting between the Thai government and the Pattani Malay National Revolutionary Front began in 2013.

Negotiations have been intermittent, coming to a halt after the 2014 military coup in Thailand and slowing down with the election loss of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.