BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung signed an order Tuesday (February 19th), appointing a new team of advisers to help stop insurgent violence in the Deep South provinces, local media reported.

The team consists of nine people tasked with providing "fresh ideas" on how to quell the insurgency, according to The Nation. All are members of the Wadah group of Muslim politicians from the region, including former deputy prime minister, interior minister and nine-time MP Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, who once belonged to the now-disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.

Chalerm's decision has raised eyebrows in some quarters, The Bangkok Post said, with some alleging links between Wadah members and the insurgents. The paper quoted Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn as warning that care must be taken not to allow sensitive security information to reach the wrong hands.

Speaking on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said "the appointment is Mr. Chalerm's personal decision, and it does not involve the government".

On Monday, the government proposed replacing the current Emergency Decree in the Deep South with Article 21 of the Internal Security Act in an attempt to restore peace through talks. The move would enable insurgents to turn themselves in and begin a plea-bargaining process.