Malaysia must get Asean to act and bring the situation in Pattani, Southern Thailand under control before the conflict affects the region, said PAS Youth today.

Its chief Salahuddin Ayub warned that if the matter is not handled effectively, it will become a new crisis in the region involving Muslims similar to those in Burma, Aceh, Ambon (both in Indonesia) and Mindanao (the Philippines)

He said since Malaysia is Thailand's closest neighbour, it should take the lead and call for an emergency meet of Asean's foreign ministers to explore ways of assuaging the violance.

"Immediate action from Asean is important to ensure that the region remains in the Free, Peaceful and Neutral Zone (ZOPFAN).

"The region's stability will also guarantee a brighter political future without foreign intervention," he added in a statement.

Salahuddin said PAS Youth believed that foreign powers, especially the United States, will try and find ways to intervene if the matter is not resolved promptly.

PAS Youth also expressed regret over the slaying of 112 people, a majority of whom were reported to be civilians, after the Thai military and police swung into action on Wednesday.

The wing also strongly objected the military's action to gun down 34 people seeking refuge in a mosque in Krisek.

"Attacking a place of worship violates the Geneva convention. PAS Youth is concerned if these actions are part of an ethnic cleansing exercise similar to what had happened in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1994," said Salahuddin.

Independent investigation

In a related development, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) claimed that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should also be held partly responsible for Wednesday's death toll in Thailand.

Its deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali said the premier had previously expressed full support to the Thai government for all actions it would take against the so-called 'criminals' and 'terrorrists'.

"There is no need for anybody to shed crocodile tears (now)," he added in a statement.

The Keadilan leader also said his party supported the international call for an independent investigation into the tragedy due to the conflicting reports.

"What is clear is that the Thai people and the world must know the truth, not only the composition of the dead but also the root cause of the unrest spreading of late in Southern Thailand," he added.

Negative portrayal

Meanwhile, Cindy Choo reports that Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today took the Western media to task for linking the crisis in Southern Thailand to religion and for portraying Muslims in a violent light.

He also expressed concerned that the violence could spread to Malaysia and called for measures to be implemented to prevent this.

On the same note, Hishammuddin said he was grateful that Malaysia did not have to face similar situations.

He also hoped that the violence will not affect the bilateral ties between the two countries.

The minister, who is also Umno Youth chief, was speaking to reporters after launching an 'Anti-bully' poster campaign in Kuala Lumpur.