BANGKOK - Deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that Malaysia would act against anyone involved in violence which has flared in Thailand's restive Muslim-majority south this year.

"If they use Malaysia as a launching pad, we will act," Najib Razak, who is also defense minister, said in Bangkok after a meeting on border security.

"Our position is very clear. We respect Thailand's sovereignty. We don't believe the people should launch separatist movements," he said.

Najib said he and Thai officials had discussed increased security measures along the countries' porous border, but the topic of talks between Thailand and a separatist leader living in Malaysia had not been broached.

The Thai government has said talks with Wan Abdul Kadir , head of the militant umbrella group Bersatu, over ending the wave of violence in the south should begin soon, but has yet to announce a time or place.

Wan Abdul Kadir reportedly said last week that the troubles in Thailand's restive southern provinces, which have claimed about 190 lives this year, could be solved through dialogue with the government.

However, it was unclear what role the separatist leader could play in peace talks as he denied the outlawed Bersatu or affiliated separatist groups were involved in the violence.

No haven

Thai Defense Minister Chetta Tanajaro said the two sides discussed general security cooperation but did not discuss Bersatu or any future peace talks with the group.

Thai authorities have said they believe those responsible for the violence include separatists with dual nationalities who hide out in Malaysia before sneaking back into Thailand and launching attacks.

Malaysia has repeatedly said it would not become a haven for terrorists.

Thailand's south was plagued by separatist violence until the 1980s when the government managed to curb militant activity, but it has flared again since a deadly raid on an army base in January.

The bloodshed escalated dramatically on April 28 when Thai police and military killed 108 suspected Muslim rebels who launched disastrous coordinated attacks in three provinces. - AFP