By Don Pathan
In an emotional plea to residents of the Muslim-majority deep South, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday (Nov 2) made a public apology for the deaths of at least 85 people during and after a demonstration in Tak Bai two years ago.
"I have come here to apologise to you on behalf of the previous government and on behalf of this government. What happened in the past was mostly the fault of the state," Surayud told a packed room of about 1,000 local residents from all walks of life in this Muslim-majority region.
"We must look for ways to work together. I have come here today to extend my hand to you and to tell you that I was wrong. I have come to apologise," said Surayud, whose remarks were greeted by a big round of applause for what was seen here as a long-overdue apology.
Demonstrating the government's apology had substance, Attorney-General Phara Yuthithamdamrong said yesterday that on Monday he would drop the charges against 58 suspects arrested at the Tak Bai demonstration for illegal gathering and public disturbance. The move was aimed at achieving reconciliation with Muslims in the deep South, Phara said.
In his first visit to the Malay-speaking deep South in his capacity as prime minister, Surayud stressed the need for reconciliation and "to move forward as a nation".
He told the audience he was among those who opposed the hard-line policies of the Thaksin government but failed to change the administration's mindset.
"I tried to counter their policies but I failed," Surayud said.
Ismail Lutphi Japakiya, a well-known cleric and rector of Yala Islamic College, hailed the statement as "one of the most important keys that will lead to the solving of the problems in the region".
"I hope to God that [Surayud] will have the strength to follow through with his efforts to reconcile the nation," Lutphi said.
Family members of the Tak Bai victims reportedly wept on hearing Surayud's comments.
Bukharee Tokkubaha, a senior imam in Pattani's Muang district, said Surayud's statement "brought tears to my eyes".
"It really moved me. I had goose-bumps all over," Bukharee said. "Today he has won the hearts and minds of so many Malay Muslims. I don't know what the future holds but this is definitely a good starting point."
The chairman of the Islamic Committee of Pattani, Waeduramae Mahmingji, said the apology was "a first step towards reconciliation".
A leading academic from Prince of Songkhla University in Pattani, Worawit Baru, said the apology was long overdue but better late than never.
"I don't understand why it has taken so long for the political establishment to apologise for the atrocities ... But I have to give this government credit for doing so," he said.
Mathayom 5 student Sa-adah Thalawi, 16, described Surayud as a "brave man for apologising".
"I thought he was very sincere," she said.
Abdul-aziz Yanya, the leader of the traditional pondok (Islamic schools) association in the three southernmost provinces, said Surayud's message was a complete reversal from the attitude of the previous administration.
"The former prime minister [Thaksin Shinawatra] was just too harsh," Abdul-aziz said.
Nidir Waba, a leading cleric who was recently appointed an adviser to Surayud, said he, too, was touched by Surayud's emotional plea.
"Where can you find a man like this?" Nidir asked.
Of the 85 deaths, at least 78 Tak Bai demonstrators died from suffocation after security officials stacked them one on top of another in the backs of military trucks.
The tragedy drew a storm of criticism and condemnation from the international community, especially across the Islamic world.
Yesterday's meeting was billed by residents and officials here as a major breakthrough. Surayud delayed his departure and stayed on for three more hours to listen to complaints from residents in what became a town-hall meeting with the prime minister.
Many praised his message of reconciliation, while others pointed to more specific issues, such as unemployment, lack of proper health facilities at the tambon level, as well as the need to strengthen the local economy and uplift the livelihoods of local residents.
Surayud, an ex-Army commander who was appointed interim prime minister on October 1 following the coup, urged the local community to give the re-established Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre its cooperation and help him purge corrupt officials. He also reached out to students and the younger generation, telling them to seize the day and make the most of their lives.
"Forty years ago when I was your age, I, too, made mistakes. But you have your whole lives ahead of you," he said.
In reaching out to the religious community, Surayud vowed to strengthen the institution of the Islamic courts, known as Sharia, and promised to work with clerics in producing more competent Islamic judges.
The Nation, 3.11.2006