BANGKOK: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the southern Thailand peace process will take time to be resolved as it is a complex issue involving various parties.
The prime minister said it would be difficult to place a timeline on the peace talks due to the nature of the issue.
"Thailand had previously assisted Malaysia when we encountered problems with terrorism. And now, we have the opportunity to help Thailand resolve its problems in the south.
"We do not like violence as it affects the way of life of both Thais and Malaysians. We hope that we can help Thailand resolve this issue," he told Malaysian media at a press conference on the final leg of his two-day official visit to the kingdom.
Thailand has appointed Malaysia as the facilitator for the peace talks between the Thai government and separatist groups in the restive south.
Decades-long violence in the kingdom's south has claimed more than 7,000 lives to date.
On Malaysia's next step as the facilitator for the peace process, Dr Mahathir said it had appointed former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor as the new facilitator.
"He has experience in handling such negotiations to resolve the issue," he said.
To a question on the separatists' demand for autonomy, Dr Mahathir replied that the issue was complex as autonomy in this case has many definitions.
"In Indonesia, Jogjakarta has autonomy but the central government is still strong. The same applies to Acheh, even with Jakarta having agreed to autonomy. So we don't know yet as to what extent the demand for autonomy is in this case," he said.
Dr Mahathir was also asked on the eventual transition of power which would see PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim become prime minister.
He was asked to clarify his previous statement on Anwar taking over, in which he had said that Malaysia would have a new prime minister only if the people want it, and that "there is no guarantee" the next prime minister would be better than him.
Dr Mahathir reiterated that he would be stepping down as planned.
"As far as I'm concerned, I will step down. He (Anwar) will take over. What I meant was that, if the people do not want us, can we still become the prime minister?"
To a question on whether Anwar would have to wait until the next general election to become prime minister, Dr Mahathir shook his head and replied in the negative.
The prime minister was also asked to comment on the slew of corruption charges laid out against his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak, former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah and ex-Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) chief Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid.
"This is about rule of law. You have to charge people if you have evidence and think that it will be upheld by the courts.
"The people who did so must have enough evidence for something which is very serious. Rule of law applies to everyone whether you are an incumbent PM or even a retired PM," he said.
Asked on the reported RM6 billion involved in the cases, Dr Mahathir said such individuals are "hiding the money and will continue to hide the money."
Dr Mahathir was also asked to comment on the killing of The Wall Street Journal journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Killing, he said, is not a solution.
"But we don't have any direct information on the case, only what we read in the news. We hope that in the Arab world, they can act as Muslims. No killing and such," he said.
