The appointment of Pol Lt-Gen Anurut Krisanakaraket, an inspector-general, as the new commissioner of the Southern Border Provinces Police’s Operating Centre came as a total surprise described by the media as a "last minute" change.

The Isra news agency recently had an exclusive interview with a group of juwae, a Malay equivalent of a warrior , on the condition that their identities were not disclosed.

"Honestly, I am glad because I can take a break."

Amidst the sense of hopelessness and desperation among many people from the unrelenting violence which has claimed more than 4,300 lives for the past seven years, there are still people who have not lost hope but who also have the drive and energy for new innovations for the good of the people in the deep South.

Decho Dariyoh, the 32-year old security guard at the Holiday Hill hotel in downtown Betong, had looked forward to celebrating the first Hari Raya, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, of his youngest son who is just 11 months old.