KL leader considers Thailand's request

KL leader considers Thailand's request

MALAYSIA: Malaysia's prime minister will consider Thailand's request to extradite a suspected Muslim insurgent but urged the Thai government to stop making public its demands, news reports said on Friday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had earlier indicated the government may not extradite Chae Kumae Kuteh, the alleged leader of the New Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), one of several separatist groups linked to violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim south.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Chae Kumae is a Thai national who should stand trial in Thailand, while his foreign minister said a 1911 repatriation treaty between Britain -- then Malaysia's colonial ruler -- and Thailand could be applied.

Abdullah said he would consider the request but insisted that Thailand not go through the media but through diplomatic channels, national news agency Bernama reported.

The Star daily cited Abdullah as saying that once Malaysia received the extradition request, "we will naturally have to look into it."

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Thailand must provide evidence to show Chae Kumae is a Thai citizen in requesting the extradition, the Star reported. --AP