Malaysian envoy sees 'happy end' in peace talks

MANILA, Philippines - Malaysia is hopeful that the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would have a “happy ending” despite issues on the facilitator tasked to broker the talks.

“I think we should not worry about that… I think just like a love story, we will have a happy ending,” Malaysian Ambassador Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad said in an interview last Wednesday night.

Asked if Malaysia is inclined to grant the request of the Philippines to replace the facilitator of the talks, Saad merely said, “Don’t worry about it.”

The Malaysian envoy, however, believes that the safe release of the two Malaysian laborers kidnapped last February in Sabah is a “good sign” for the talks.

“This (rescue of kidnap victims) is a good thing because it only shows the Malaysian and Philippine governments are cooperating very well…It’s a prelude to the good things coming,” Saad said. 

“I think it’s very good. It’s a good sign that cooperation will go on for the peace process. It’s great to begin with this one,” he added.

This was echoed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, who used to chair the government’s peace panel.

“I think it (rescue) bodes well for the high-level cooperation in political leadership and also in the police and military,” he told The STAR. 

They were referring to the rescue of Malaysian nationals Chen Yui Chung and Lai Wong Chun last Tuesday by members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.

The two were seized by lawless elements last Feb. 8 in Sabah and were found by authorities along the coastline of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi.

Formal talks between the government and the MILF were halted after the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a controversial ancestral domain agreement in 2008.

The agreement would have formed a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity which would have expanded the area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Aquino administration has vowed to pursue talks with the MILF and has formed a panel that will negotiate with the rebels.

Last month, the government peace panel asked Malaysia to replace its appointed facilitator, Datuk Othman bin Abd’ Razak, saying they would have difficulties working with him.