The new Malaysian government is believed to be keen to carry on its crucial role in supporting the ongoing peace talks between Thailand and insurgent groups in the restive South despite possible changes in negotiators, according to experts and academics.
Former Malaysian prime minister and opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, was sworn in as the world's oldest elected leader late on Thursday after a stunning election win that swept Malaysia's Barisan National coalition from power after more than six decades.
Gen Aksara Kerdphol, chief of the government's peace talks delegation, said that the change of administration in Malaysia might have some bearing on the peace talks between Thailand and Mara Patani, an umbrella organisation of insurgent groups in the South.
Malaysia has played a crucial role as a facilitator for dialogue between Thai authorities and insurgent groups. However, it was yet to be seen what position the new Malaysian administration will take on the issue, he said.
"The world is seeking peace through dialogue. I believe the new Malaysian government will follow the right path because the issue involves the mutual interests of both countries. There should be no problems," Gen Aksara said.
Gen Aksara confirmed that the talks with Mara Patani have been making progress, though his negotiators need time to achieve the desired results.
An example of the progress made is the designation of Narathiwat's Cho Airong district as the first safe zone in the strife-torn deep South, Gen Aksara said.
Gen Aksara recently revealed that Mara Patani put forward the proposal for Cho Airong to be designated as the first pilot safety zone.
The zone represents another step toward ending the violence that erupted in the Muslim-dominated region in 2004, he said.
He said the Thai side had also agreed with Mara Patani's proposal for four new safety zones, but would wait until the group is ready to announce the names of the districts before sanctioning them.
Rakchart Suwan, head of the Buddhists' Network For Peace, said that the Malaysian election result should not bring about any substantial change to the peace process.
He said the new government is likely to put more pressure on those insurgents who fled Thailand to hide in Malaysia and force them to participate in the peace process.
Sources in the far South said many insurgents who fled across the border to Malaysia live in less developed areas which were the mainstay of support for the former opposition that has now become the ruling coalition.
As a result, they are likely to return to peace talks as these areas will gain from more development under the new administration.
Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said he did not think Dr Mahathir's stunning win, which saw him installed as prime minister for a second time, would have any repercussions on Thai politics, except for policies associated with the southern provinces.
When Dr Mahathir served as prime minister in the past, there were rarely problems in the South, Mr Yutthaporn said.
Tayudin Osman, a lecturer at the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Yala Rajabhat University, said the change of administration would bring about a change of negotiators, but was confident of continued support for peace as the violence also affects Malaysia.
Wanwichit Boonprong, a political scientist at Rangsit University, said the Malaysian poll result showed citizens awakening to the dangers posed by unchecked long-standing regimes.
"In Malaysia, there are groups of 'yellow waves' who led campaigns calling for politicians to be subject to public scrutiny. This shows that Malaysian society was unhappy with their leaders' illegitimate exercise of power which had continued for a long time," he said.
This is no different from the political context of Thailand in which those in power have shrugged off efforts to scrutinise them, Mr Wanwichit added.
