SECURING the confidence of all parties in the Southern Thailand conflict will be crucial to Malaysia’s efforts to facilitate peace negotiations, with the country’s new representative needing to navigate the region’s complex historical and political sensitivities, former foreign minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar says.
He said any effort to resolve the longstanding conflict must be grounded in a thorough understanding of its background and the positions of those involved, rather than relying on diplomacy alone.
“Individuals appointed to carry out this responsibility must have the trust and acceptance of both parties involved in the conflict.
“This is important to ensure negotiations can be conducted effectively, while opening up opportunities for a solution that is acceptable to all parties,” he told Utusan Malaysia yesterday.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia’s role as facilitator was a positive recognition of its capacity to contribute to international peace efforts, but the process would require sustained dialogue and negotiations that respected the interests of all parties.
The government recently appointed former Defence Intelligence chief Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal as Malaysia’s new facilitator for the Southern Thailand Peace Dialogue Process, replacing Datuk Mohd Rabin Basir.
Ahmad Norihan brings more than 33 years of experience in the Malaysian Armed Forces, including expertise in strategic and defence intelligence, security analysis and operational management at national and international levels.
Syed Hamid said understanding the conflict’s historical and political roots was essential to shaping an approach capable of building confidence and creating space for a settlement acceptable to those involved. - October 19, 2026