A cross-party Malaysian parliamentary caucus on southern Thailand has been formed to "uphold universal human rights" in the continuing unrest and violence in the neighbouring country.

Announcing its establishment today, caucus head Dr Rahman Ismail (BN-Gombak) said a few urgent tasks that will be carried out are to meet with their Thai counterparts, visit southern Thailand and organise a dialogue with Thai embassy officials in Kuala Lumpur.

"We also plan to meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to express our views on the issue," he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby after the caucus' inaugural meeting.

Malaysiakini reported last week that the MPs have agreed to the proposal from Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang to form a caucus on southern Thailand

Handle with care

The Gombak MP said the caucus will enable Malaysian MPs to express their concern on the southern Thai situation in a more dynamic and effective way.

"We also have to handle the matter with care because we have to respect Thai sovereignty. We are actually more concerned with the human rights aspects," Rahman explained.

Apart from him, other members on the caucus are its secretary Markiman Kobiran (BN-Hulu Langat), Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas), Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullai (BN-Arau), Lau Yen Peng (BN-Puchong), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera), Dr Rozaldah Talib (BN-Ampang), Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) and Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian).

Two weeks ago, the parliamentarians also voiced similar concerns on the southern Thai situation when they debated on an opposition's emergency motion.

In the Oct 25 Tak Bai incident, 75 Thai Muslims died of suffocation when they were packed into army trucks. This drew international condemnation and outrage.