Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra's charge that Thai Muslim separatists were trained in Islamic schools in the jungles of Kelantan has been described as an act of revenge for PAS' role in a parliamentary motion that criticised the Thai government over the Tak Bai tragedy.

The party's international affairs bureau head, Dr Hatta Ramli, claimed that Thaksin was incensed at PAS for tabling an emergency motion three weeks ago, and that he was seeking to deflect international criticism of his administration.

"Thaksin was very angry when Parliament discussed the motion condemning the Thai military's actions in southern Thailand, a motion that was supported by all parliamentarians," he told malaysiakini when met at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"The idea is to embarrass PAS and to (say) that PAS condones terrorism. Thailand has a common border not just with Kelantan but also with Perak, Kedah and Perlis, but the main contention is with Kelantan. There must be a reason why," he said.

Although Thaksin's comments that the alleged training was "done without the support of knowledge of the Malaysian government", his accusations have drawn the ire of many government leaders, said Hatta.

"I think he was just showing his anger at PAS, but the way he's doing it is very damaging to the relationship between Malaysia and Thailand.

"It's not just affecting Kelantan, but Malaysia as a whole. I quite agree with the prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) who admonished Thaksin for not going through the proper channels regarding whatever information he may have."

Democratic agenda

Denying the existence of guerilla training centres in Kelantan, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party is committed to democratic principles and practices.

"PAS always ensures that its members and supporters continue with the (democratic) agenda," he said in a statement.

Thaksin's accusations come on the heels of charges 10 days ago that the Kelantan branch of the Islamic Welfare Organisation had donated RM120,000 to the outlawed Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO), which is fighting for a separate state for Pattani Muslims.

Kelantan social development and finance planning committee chairperson Husam Musa said the state government was not aware if money has been given to PULO.