KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — Malaysia has tightened security across its land borders with Thailand, especially across forest ranges, following recent attacks in the southern part of the country, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today.

Mohamed Khaled said the armed forces are increasing surveillance at the borders to prevent insurgents from infiltrating into Malaysia and spreading the violence here.

“The government will never allow any parties resorting to violence and denying the peace process in southern Thailand to hide or seek refuge on Malaysian soil.

“And, we will give our full cooperation to Thai authorities to ensure that it does not happen,” Mohamed Khaled told reporters at the Defence Ministry here today.

He said Malaysia will also appoint facilitators for the peace talks between Thai authorities and insurgent groups since the country is familiar with the conflict and the stakeholders involved.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to appoint the facilitators soon.

“The prime minister has asked us for suggestions (for facilitator candidates) and we have provided them.

“This is because our long-time facilitator (and former National Security Council director-general) Datuk Rabin Mohd Basir’s contract has also expired,” Mohamed Khaled explained.

A series of coordinated attacks in several southern provinces of Thailand since last weekend torched several government buildings and vehicles, injuring three people.

The decades-long insurgency between Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebels and the Thai government has killed over 7,000 people since 2004, according to data from Deep South Watch.