FORMER inspector-general of police Rahim Noor was appointed as a mediator between the Thai government and Muslim rebels based on his experience and expertise, said Defence Minister Mohammad Sabu.

Rahim is also a skilled negotiator, which was the main reason Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad appointed the former top cop to the role.

“He knows the ins and outs of the developments in Thailand. I am confident the PM sees his capability as well as his skills and the job was given to him,” Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, told reporters today.

Rahim’s appointment was criticised by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and Umno’s Khairy Jamaluddin, who claim the move was in blatant disrespect of Anwar Ibrahim, as Rahim was convicted of assaulting the former deputy prime minister during his first sodomy case.

Mat Sabu, however, said while all parties have a right to air their views, Rahim was clearly the best man for the job, as he was previously in charge of talks back in 1989 which resulted in a peace treaty being signed.

“He was employed during Dr Mahathir’s time to negotiate with communists there. Until a peace treaty was signed in Southern Thailand in 1989,” he added.

Malaysia is hosting peace talks between the Thai government and rebel group Mara Patani to seek a peaceful resolution to decades of conflict in southern Thailand, near the Malaysian border.

Rahim replaces Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim, who was appointed by the previous administration, as the chief mediator. – August 28, 2018.