BANGKOK: Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Sunday he is satisfied with the role played by former inspector-general of police Abdul Rahim Noor in the peace talks to end the violence in southern Thailand.
He said the peace talks between Mara Patani, representing the many factions, and the government of Thailand, were proceeding well but added that it would take time to solve the issues.
“Finding a solution to the southern Thailand problem is not easy because the conflict involves many factions. We have to seek the views of all the factions besides knowing their interests,” he said after receiving an honorary doctorate in social leadership, business and politics from Rangsit University here.
Mahathir said he had met Rahim only once or twice.
Rahim was appointed as the facilitator of the southern Thailand peace process on Aug 25, taking over from Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim.
However, there have been some objections to his appointment.