Yingluck takes on deep South

EDITORIAL

The decision by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to take control of national security solves a political problem but poses new challenges.

It opens new opportunities to address the violence in the deep South. At the same time it raises several possible problems. It has been two decades since a prime minister has directly assumed control and Ms Yingluck will be battling entrenched perceptions as well as the violent gangs of the South.

Ms Yingluck is the first prime minister to take a firm hold of national security since Chuan Leekpai, the Democrat premier from 1992 to 1995. Shortly after he took office, a political battle broke out over who would serve as defence minister. Mr Chuan stepped in where no civilian had ever dared to tread, and took the post himself.

Ms Yingluck has taken a similar step, although at an arguably more important level. The Defence Ministry remains in the hands of a former military man, retired air force chief marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat. But the premier has assumed command of national security policies. This vague but vital title was most recently held by Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, as deputy prime minister in charge of national security.

By taking the position, Ms Yingluck sidesteps what looked like a battle between Gen Yutthasak and new first Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. Within minutes of seeing Gen Yutthasak out of the cabinet, Mr Chalerm declared himself "ready" to take control of southern policy. It was clear, including to the prime minister, that few people had confidence in that proposal.

There were signs of support from the deep South for her decision - and there were no immediate, strong objections. The influential Muslim leader Nimu Makaje of Yala thought it was "a good idea" for the government leader to take direct charge of the problem. He worried only that Ms Yingluck would lack the time to visit the area often. And he wondered if she has sufficient knowledge of Islam and local culture. But then, which recent security chief has had more?

Lack of experience can be a millstone. But so can years of doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different results. For nearly nine years of escalating violence, governments and military leaders have pursued predictable policies. Indeed, one of the reasons for the increasing casualties in the South is that the attacking gangs know the tactics of the police, paramilitary forces and the regular army.

In short, our female prime minister with just 18 months of total political experience is unlikely to have less success than the five seasoned professionals who preceded her. Her policeman brother failed spectacularly. So did former military chief Gen Surayud Chulanont, the justice guru Somchai Wongsawat, and the rabble-rousing Samak Sundaravej. The Democrats, who now claim to have deep reservations about Ms Yingluck, failed utterly under Abhisit Vejjajiva to make inroads into solving the problem.

Ms Yingluck should look for new strategies to bring to the national security table. The Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre and the Internal Security Operations Command can stop the southern extremists from taking territory or political gains. Ms Yingluck should be looking for bold new steps to help the people of the deep South while sidelining the violence forever.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/07/yingluck-takes-on-deep-south/