The new Chularatchamontri and the expectations from Muslim people
By Pradya Toh-e-tae
Mr Arziz Pitakkumphol has been elected the 18th Chularatchamontri or Muslim spiritual leader of Thailand. Mr Arziz received 423 votes out of a total of 716 voters representing Muslim committees from 39 provinces throughout the country who showed up on Sunday May 16 at the National Islamic Religious Affairs Administration Centre in Pathum Thani province.
He outcompeted two other nominees, Mr Thavee Napakorn and Mr Samarn Maleephan.
The election of the new Chularatchamontri was presided over by Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam and Culture Minister Thira Salapetch and witnessed by, among others, Mr Manit Wattanasen, the interior permanent secretary, and Mr Mongkol Surasajja, acting director-general of Local Administration Department.
Nine candidates were proposed by the provinciall Muslim committees, namely Mr Samarn Maleephan, Mr Arziz Pitakkumphol, Mr Vinai Sama-oon, Mr Arun Esor, Mr Arun Boonchom, Mr Imron Maluleem, Mr Thavee Napakorn, Mr Thongkham Mahamad and Mr Arun Wan Alor. But only three were nominated for the election.
After the outcome of the election, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will have to submit Mr Arziz’s name to HM the King for approval.
Mr Arziz is the first southerner to be elected the Chularatchamontri. Aged 63, he is a native of Songkhla province and is presently the vice chairman of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand and chairman of the club of Islamic committees of 14 southern provinces and a former senator.
Mr Arziz is widely recognized in government circle and the people’s sector. He used to hold several important positions such as an advisor of the Peace-Building Council of Border Provinces under the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre and a member of an independent panel investigating the Krue Se mosque and Tak Bai incidents. His prominent achievement is his key role in mobilizing financial support for the building of a 143 million baht mosque in Songkhla province.
The Isra news desk interviewed some people in the deep South to gauge their opinions about the new Chularatchamontri and their expecations from him. The followings are extracts of the interviews.
Mr Abdulloh Tayeh of Panareh district of Pattani said he wanted the new Muslim spiritual leader to step up his role and to pay more attention to the problems in the deep South. He suggested that the Chularatchamontri should pay more visits to the restive region to keep abreast with the developments in the region and to hear the grievances from the local people.
Mr Abdulloh said most local people felt that the previous Chularatchamontri had not played sufficient role in the deep South. And the only time that most people knew about him was when he declared the date of the Ramadan fasting and the Rayo celebration.
Mrs Jehruhanee Lobaeluwong, a housewife in Tambon Sabarang, Muang district of Pattani, said she wanted the new Chularatchamontri to be more active in helping solve problems in the far South. Similar opinion was also shared by Mr Arduenan Sakariya, a young man from Raman district, Yala.
Ahmad Somboon Bualuang, an academic and peace advocate, said that the Chularatchamontri must be a model citizen for Muslim people, selfless, intelligent and detach from power and must be the leader of Muslim people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caption : Mr. Arziz Pitakkumphol