Thais Muslims refuse to go home

Thais Muslims refuse to go home

MALAYSIA: None of the 131 Thai Muslims who fled to Malaysia
two months ago have decided to return home to Thailand's
insurgency-wracked south, despite their government's insistence
that their safety is assured, Malaysian officials said on Monday.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said authorities
would determine how to proceed with the issue -- which has
strained relations with neighboring Thailand -- after the Idul
Fitri holiday later this week, the national news agency Bernama
reported.

"So far, none of them has indicated" that they plan to return
to Thailand soon, Najib said. "We have a few options, but we will
decide when the time comes."

Najib declined to elaborate on the possible measures, but
added that Thai authorities would continue to meet with the
Muslims to persuade them to return home.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit pledged to
ensure their safety during talks with Najib last week. Both sides
agreed not to let the issue further jeopardize bilateral ties.

Relations have been strained since the Thais entered Malaysia,
a predominantly Muslim nation, on Aug. 30, claiming they feared
for their lives because of a crackdown on Islamic insurgents in
southern Thailand. Malaysia said it would not return them until
Bangkok assured their safety. -- AP