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| Southeast Asia |
| M'sia on alert: Possible attack in southern Thailand |
| 2004-07-26 |
| Malaysia is maintaining tight security along its border with Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said today, amid reports of a possible attack by Muslim militants in southern Thailand. Najib, who is also the defence minister said Malaysian security personnel were gathering intelligence and monitoring the situation closely, adding that Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok were exchanging information. "We are working closely with the Thais. Intelligence units of both sides have been exchanging information," he said. Najib's comments followed reports in a foreign newspaper quoting intelligence officials warning of a major attack by militants in Thai's restive southern provinces. Malaysia's northern border with southern Thailand is separated by a porous border that can be easily crossed without passing through checkpoints. The region was plagued by separatist violence until the 1980s when the government managed to curb militant activity, but in the last few years violence has flared again. Najib said Malaysia would not ban local tourists from visiting southern Thailand but urged them to be alert. "We remind them that the area is still exposed to terrorist threats and they must take extra precautions," he said. Malaysia has had no major extremist attacks on its own soil, but has detained some 90 alleged militants suspected of membership in regional groups such as the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for the 2002 Bali bombing. |
| Posted by:Fred |