The following are statements made by Malaysian politicians and organisations on the bloodless military coup in Thailand on Tuesday night which deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi:

"I am really shocked. I didn't expect a coup would have taken place in Thailand. If there is chaos, then don't go (to Thailand). But if the situation is under control and if the authorities have assured businessmen, for example, or anyone at all that they can go, then it should not be a problem."

Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail:

"We urge the interim military government to exercise restraints and avoid using violence. We further call on military leaders of the coup d'etat to respect the wish of the people and act responsively in preserving peace.

Keadilan insists that only through the proper democratic channels can the crisis be resolved."

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang:

"Decades of Thai progress in terms of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law had been undone by the military coup. Democratic elections, and not coups, are the way to change governments.

The Thai Political Reform Council must give way for the immediate restoration of the democratic and constitutional institutions and processes, not only for the sake of democratisation in Thailand and the rest of Asean (in particular Burma), but also for economic stability and certainty in the Thai kingdom and Southeast Asia."

Human rights organisation Suaram's executive director Yap Swee Seng:

"No matter how well is the intention of the military coup, the ends cannot justify the means. The political crisis in Thailand should be left to be resolved in a democratic way and be decided by the people themselves. It would be a dangerous precedent to start accepting military coup as a legitimate practice...

The military coup d'etat has also subverted democratic rule in Thailand. The court has ruled the election that saw the victory for Thaksin as null and void and a re-election was due next month for the people to decide on their next government. The democratic political system in Thailand is moving and functioning, albeit in a painful and slow process in the face of resistance from Thaksin. By staging a coup d'etat, the military is spelling a death knell for democracy in Thailand."

Amnesty International Malaysia:

"Following a military coup d'etat and the declaration of martial law in Thailand, Amnesty International called for the military authorities to comply with Thailand's obligations under international human rights law.

The organisation expressed particular concern that the constitution has been rescinded, political gatherings have been banned, impositions announced on internet reporting and politicians detained. No one should be penalized for their peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association or assembly."