Malaysian Deputy Premier Najib Razak will lead a mission Tueday to meet Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and discuss border security cooperation following unrest in southern Thailand, a report said Saturday.

"This meeting should not be interpreted as Malaysia interfering with the domestic affairs of Thailand. Within the spirit of Asean and neighbourliness, we need to have discussions to share Malaysia's views on the matter," Najib was quoted as saying by The Star.

The delegation would include Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, armed forces chief General Mohamad Zahidi Zainuddin, police inspector-general Mohamad Bakri Omar and several other ministers, the report said.

The visit follows a trip to Kuala Lumpur on April 12 by Thaksin, some three weeks before Wednesday's clashes between Muslim militants and security forces that left more than 100 dead in southern provinces near the Malaysian border.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said Malaysia would consider giving temporary refuge to Thai nationals fleeing the violence but a final decision would depend on the outcome of Najib's trip.

Malaysia in the past did not accept refugees as it feared it would draw people from other troublespots, but Abdullah said there were genuine refugees who deserved temporary shelter.

"I have directed Najib and Syed Hamid (left) to visit Bangkok to find out what is really happening and what action to take to avoid any misunderstanding with the Thai government," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times .

Abdullah said the refugees would have to return home once the violence ceased.

PAS slams Thailand

Malaysia's opposition Islamic Party (PAS) on Saturday slammed Thailand over what it called "brutal state-sanctioned terrorism" against Muslims.

Statements by Thaksin, military and police officers that the attackers were criminals appeared "coordinated to provide a convenient excuse to justify and give cover for government sanction to the massacre," it said in a statement.

"The Malaysian government equally stand condemned for turning a blind eye, for endorsing the licence for the Thai government to conduct the massacre against the Muslims in southern Thailand," it said.

PAS said Thai Muslims were frustrated due to economic deprivation and denial of rights to land, freedom of religion and language as well as the right to run their own schools and lead the Islamic way of life.

"The way to peace is to address their long standing grievances," it said adding states found it more convenient to join, "the US-led western chorus by simply branding them Islamic militants and by so doing, give themselves the licence to wipe them away from the face of the earth." - AFP