Filepic of Tangga Batu MP, Datuk Idris Haron. Pix: flickr.comKUALA LUMPUR: A lawmaker regards Malaysia's role in facilitating the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as proof of its commitment to ensuring regional peace and harmony. 

Datuk Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) said ensuring harmony in Southeast Asia was vital in the interest of regional security and the region's competitiveness with the countries of Europe. 

"The peace efforts between the Philippine government and MILF have taken many years and Malaysia has played a role to make the talks possible, realizing the need for harmony in the region in order to attract huge foreign investments. 

"Our role has obviously borne fruit when soon a peace agreement will be signed between the Philippine government and MILF in the interest of all countries in this region," Idris said when met at the Parliament lobby, here, yesterday, 

Another lawmaker, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahalan (BN-Kota Belud) said Malaysia had for a long time assisted in the peace talks in Kuala Lumpur since the premiership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad followed by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's, with the success of the negotiations seen during the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. 

"We say thanks to the prime minister's leadership which has sought means to bring peace to southern Philippines and we hope for everlasting peace in the area," he had said when interjecting Datuk Matulidi Jusoh's debate (BN-Dungun) on the 2013 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat. 

Abdul Rahman was also confident that with peace in southern Philippines, the entry of illegal immigrants from that area into Sabah which had become a big issue in the state, could be better tackled. 

Yesterday, the Philippine government and MILF reached a historic decision to end the long-standing bloody conflict in the southern part of the country with a preliminary peace deal which will see the creation of a new autonomous region known as Bangsamoro. 

The framework agreement to be signed between the Philippine government representatives and MILF leaders will pave the way for a peace agreement to be signed in Manila on Oct 15. 

Malaysia has assisted in the peace negotiations since 2001 and led an international monitoring team since 2004. 

In KENINGAU, Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the peace accord was a positive development for the people of Sabah as it would help stem the tide of migration from southern Philippines to Sabah by people in search of a better life because of the conflict. 

"In this matter, PBS lauds the initiative to bring about peace in southern Philippines which will be of benefit to all parties. It is also further proof of the caring nature of the Barisan Nasional government which played a key role in helping resolve the conflict," said Pairin, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister. 



- Bernama