FEAR OF ATTACKS IN SOUTH: chills campaigning

Published on December 15, 2004

Many candidates avoid public appearances and speaking at rallies to reduce the chance of violence

Prospective MP candidates in the deep South are willing to handicap themselves in their election campaigns by opting to avoid staging public events for fear that militants might target participants.

MP hopeful Sommut Benjalak, who plans to contest in Pattani’s Constituency 1 under Mahachon’s banner, said yesterday that he would predicate any public forum in the campaign on the current security situation in the province.

“I just can’t commit to any decision right now,” Sommut said, adding that the almost daily attacks by armed insurgents across the province made him concerned about his supporters’ and his own safety.

He insisted, however, that no threat of violence would deter him from continuing personally visiting his constituents to boost their morale and listen to their problems.

Abdulkarim Dengrakina, who will be running for an MP seat in Yala’s Constituency 2 under the Democrat ticket, said he too was wary of erecting public platforms for political speeches lest militants attack the gathered.

“I am fearful that ill-intentioned persons might take advantage of such events to harm people,” he said. He added that even if he did decide to erect an electoral podium, he would never hold rallies after dark.

Abdulkarim also pointed out that the wave of violence that has been taking a deadly toll on the region for almost a year has made locals very reluctant to welcome strangers. “That’s another great obstacle for me because I am a new face in politics,” he said.

Pornpich Pattanakullert, a former MP for Narathiwat who recently jumped ship from the Democrat Party to the ruling Thai Rak Thai, said she only visits her constituents in broad daylight.

“I call on relevant government agencies to provide us political candidates with adequate protection if we are going to speak on stage,” she said.

Colonel Somjit Nasomyon, superintendent of Muang Pattani Police Station, said police have not provided adequate protection for MP aspirants because the general election, scheduled for February 6, was still some time away.

“If candidates want police protection during their campaign, they can submit a request and specify reasons why they need it,” he said.

Somjit said police would provide armed escorts to campaigners who felt threatened.

Meanwhile, officials were busy canvassing the local electorate in an effort to ensure that voter turnout will not drop significantly in the face of ongoing violence, said Wichien Sunthornnon, Narathiwat’s election chief.

“We have been stressing to people the importance of casting their ballots. Only candidates who will truly represent us should be elected MPs,” he said.

The campaign urging voters to come out in force for the election is being aired both on Thai and Malay radio stations.

Thoranit Pirunla-ong, Chatree Wae-uso, Ilmi Wae-lae

The Nation

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