4th Army chief plays down BRN changes

Authorities will meet fire with fire, he says

The 4th Army commander has brushed aside concerns over the leadership change in the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement.

Authorities were not overly worried about the situation, Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich said yesterday.

Lt Gen Piyawat, however, insisted action would be taken against the group if it stirred up unrest, admitting the new leader might try to prove himself by acts of violence.

The BRN appointed Abdullah Wan Mat Noor, secretary-general of the Dewan Pimpinan Parti (DPP) or Party Leadership Council, as its new chairman.

The BRN’s leadership council unanimously voted for Abdullah to head the organisation, which is made up of three BRN bodies — the BRN-Ulama, the BRNCongress and the BRN-Coordinate — under its umbrella.

The appointment, which took effect on Jan 17, followed the death of the DPP’s former chairman Sapae-ing Baso on Jan 10.

Abdullah is wanted for treason under a Department of Special Investigation arrest warrant.

In other changes, Abdul Munir was named as secretary-general of political affairs, Din Wan Cik was appointed military chief and Muhd Arsad Wansor was picked as treasurer.

Hasan Khatib, meanwhile, was chosen to head international political affairs and Bustaman Salih was named as a party consultant.

One BRN member, who only wished to be identified as Mustafa, said he was happy Abdullah was the new BRN leader as he was an able military tactician, which made up for his lack of political experience.

In Yala, an Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) suspect wanted under two warrants i n security-related cases was arrested in Yaha district on Monday.

Tuanpeng Tayong was apprehended in a joint operation involving about 50 police and soldiers, who surrounded and then stormed a house in Ban Cho Kaladi about 10pm.

Mr Tuanpeng is a suspected bomb maker. Authorities seized as evidence three mobile phones and a motorcycle modified to be fitted with a bomb.

According to police, Mr Tuanpeng was wanted under two warrants. The first for alleged involvement in a clash with government forces in Huyong Su-ngae, in tambon Baro of Yala’s Yaha district on Sept 8 last year.

The other was in connection with the theft of firearms belonging to the Tapo village chief in tambon La-ae of Yaha district a just over a month later on Oct 21.

Mr Tuanpeng was charged with assembling arms and men in preparation for terrorist activities, bomb making, illegally possession and use of firearms, and attempted murder.

He is believed to be a member of an RKK separatist group led by Saudi Satapo that operate in Yaha, Kabang, Krongpinang and Bannang Sata districts of Yala.

Mr Tuanpeng was to be transferred for questioning at the 41st Ranger Regiment headquarters in of Raman district.