December 27, 2004

KL to hand over Maso Kaseng

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Malaysia will today hand over a suspected Muslim militant wanted in

relation to violence in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat province, a source

at the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command said.

The source said Maso Kaseng Sana recently surrendered to Malaysian

authorities. He is one of 46 suspected militants wanted on court

warrants for violence in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

The state had posted a 500,000-baht bounty for Mr Maso's arrest and

conviction. He is suspected of being a core leader of the Jan 4 raid on

a military camp in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district in which more than

400 firearms were stolen and four soldiers killed. He is also wanted for

murder and school arson.

When a warrant was issued for his arrest, Mr Maso fled to Malaysia. He

gave himself up to Malaysian authorities after Thai officials negotiated

through his relatives for his surrender.

The Criminal Court will today hear the first examination of witnesses

in the case against Nadmuddin Umar, a Thai Rak Thai MP for Narathiwat,

charged with treason and involvement in the southern violence. The first

witness will be Anupong Panthachayangkoon, kamnan of tambon Todeng in

Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district.