Udomdej said Ismail, who is in his 60s, was detained on charges related to possession of weapons.
“We have been following (Ismail’s) case. We have not received him back.
“Yes, he is still being detained in our neighbour country,” he told the media when asked about the former militant leader before attending a meeting here today.
Udomdej, who headed the Forward Cabinet to deal with problems in southern Thailand, said Thai authorities need to wait for Malaysia to conclude their investigation into Ismail before making their next move.
Thailand is not involved in Malaysia’s investigation into Ismail, who was sentenced to life imprisonment but released in 2015 after receiving a royal pardon from the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The deputy defence minister noted that owning or possessing arms is illegal in Malaysia.
Fourth Army Region Commander Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich confirmed Ismail’s arrest in Malaysia several days ago when asked by Bernama, but declined to furnish more details on the matter.
Nevertheless, a source said the former Pulo leader, who once led an armed struggle in southern Thailand, was arrested by Malaysian police at his family-run restaurant in Perak for arms-related offences.
His arrest followed a police operation in Kedah several days ago where a man was shot dead after a brief gun battle. The man was suspected to have been involved in arms smuggling at the Malaysian-Thai border.
Udomdej said although Ismail had been under constant monitoring by Thai security authorities since his release from prison, it had not stopped him from travelling to neighbouring countries.
On the southern peace process, the deputy defence minister said the peace process was still ongoing with both parties working to find a common ground on issues related to the implementation of safety zones.
Bangkok and Mara Patani, an umbrella body representing several groups in southern Thailand, have been engaging in the peace process with Malaysia acting as facilitator.
A joint acting committee comprising members of the local population will be set up at a safety zone, he said.
The peace process has attained good progress albeit gradually, Udomdej added.
Ex-separatist leader detained in Malaysia, says Thai military