Thailand keeping close eye on Anwar supporters

BANGKOK, Sept. 24 Kyodo

Thailand is closely watching the supporters of Malaysia's ousted Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and believes Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, may play a crucial role in the opposition movement, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Thailand considers the political turmoil in Malaysia to be an internal affair but must closely monitor the situation since this could affect regional stability, spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said Wednesday.

Anwar's arrest Sunday night over allegations of sexual improprieties sparked opposition demonstrations against the 17-year rule of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. A number of Anwar's supporters were also arrested during the protests.

"The situation seems back to normal. Since Anwar was arrested, there is no leader to organize the demonstrations of his supporters. We are watching the role of Mrs. Azizah, whether she could take the opposition leadership, to succeed her husband," Kobsak said.

The spokesman denied a report that Thailand had been asked to block Anwar's supporters from escaping over the border of the two countries.

Thai local media quoted a border official as saying Malaysian authorities had urged Thailand to impose immigration restrictions along the border. The request followed reports that supporters of the ousted deputy prime minister were preparing to flee to Thailand.

"At this moment, Thailand has not received any official request from the Malaysian government. The Malaysian ambassador to Bangkok also confirms there has been no such request from his government," Kobsak told reporters.

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