NARATHIWAT: Six Malaysians, including a well-known dikir barat singer from Kelantan, are required to undergo seven interrogations after being arrested last November by Thai police on suspicion of drug possession. This process is a precursor to facing charges in court.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Narathiwat Prison director, Superintendent Surin Chantep, explained that these interrogations are part of Thailand’s comprehensive legal process aimed at ensuring thorough information gathering before proceeding with prosecution. The individuals have completed five of the seven required interrogation sessions, with the latest conducted via video conference from Narathiwat Prison.
Surin Chantep noted that the fifth session took place from 9 a.m. to noon local time. He also mentioned that two more sessions are scheduled to complete the interrogation process. The Thai authorities are collaborating with relevant agencies to finalize the investigation, which includes analyzing seized evidence and collecting witness testimonies.
During a press conference at the prison, Surin, with the assistance of a local translator, commented on the conditions for family visits. He stated that the prison has extended visiting hours starting January 1, now allowing visits from Wednesday to Sunday, as opposed to the previous schedule of Thursdays only. He reassured that the meals provided to the singer and other Malaysian inmates are similar to what is typically served in Malaysia and meet halal dietary standards, alleviating concerns from the inmates’ families.
Media reports earlier disclosed that on November 1 of the previous year, Thai police arrested the group, including the prominent singer, during a raid at a hotel in Golok. The authorities reportedly seized 6,000 ecstasy pills at the time of the arrest. The involvement of the singer, who is popular in both Malaysia and Thailand, has attracted substantial public interest and speculation regarding potential links to organized crime networks operating along the Malaysia-Thai border.