Malaysia To Consider Remaining In IMT When There Is Progress On Mindanao

Written by Gunboy on Saturday, November 29th, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) — Malaysia is prepared to consider future participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) if there is progress in the peace process and a formal request is made by both the peace panels of the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a statement here Thursday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia is suspending its participation in the IMT upon expiry of its mandate as scheduled on Nov 30.

On Aug 28, Malaysia agreed to continue its IMT duties in Mindanao while waiting for the Philippines Supreme Court’s decision on the signing of an agreement between the Philippines government and the MILF.

The agreement that was supposed to have been signed on Aug 5 was put off following a legal dispute in Manila.

Since then several terrorist incidents happened in the southern region of the Philippines as the IMT prepared to leave the region.

“Malaysia remains supportive of the peace process and hope that the two sides opt for dialogue and negotiations in bringing about a peaceful solution in Mindanao,” Rais said.

The IMT helmed by Malaysia has been in Mindanao since 2004 and is made up of 41 Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police officers, supported by 10 army officers from Brunei, five from Libya and the team has been expanded to have personnel from Canada and Japan.

– BERNAMA