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The Star

Publication Date : 03-09-2012

Malaysia's home ministry is working with its Thai counterpart to investigate the raising of Malaysian flags by a Thai separatist group in several southern Thai provinces.

Although the reason behind the raising of the Jalur Gemilang was not known, the government viewed the matter seriously, Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said.

“This involves cross-border criminal activities and we have a special unit to investigate such incidents,” he said when met after opening the Merbok Umno (United Malays National Organisation) Division delegates meeting yesterday.

Hishammuddin was commenting on an AP report that suspected insurgents burnt Thai flags and raised Malaysian flags after a coordinated operation on Friday that also saw the militants plant bombs that wounded six soldiers.

Thai flags were burned and Malaysian flags were displayed prominently along roads and on electricity poles, trees and pedestrian bridges in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, as well as Songkhla.