PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia has urged Muslims to reject violence in southern Thailand where an ongoing insurgency has killed nearly 5,000 people.

Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra met Monday. Razak said they both believe the people of southern Thailand “must not seek a separate state.”

Yingluck Shinawatra, Najib Razak

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, left, shakes hands with her Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak after a joint press conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Monday. Pic: AP.

An Islamist insurgency erupted in 2004 in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces, bordered by Muslim-majority Malaysia. The insurgents have complained about discrimination in Buddhist-dominated Thailand.

Yingluck said during her visit that moderation was crucial for peace.

Najib said Malaysia would cooperate with Thailand to boost economic progress in the south.

Malaysia has previously offered student scholarships in the provinces that are among Thailand’s poorest.