“The Malaysian authorities are creating a divide-and-rule [situation in] Mindanao,” said Nur Misuari, who also headed the Moro National Liberation Front before he was ousted in 2008.
“[They] want to promote a volatile environment to prevent us from retaking Sabah from Malaysian control.”
Sabah, Misuari says, generates 99 billion ringgits in annual taxes from commercial establishments and people’s taxes, which could bring prosperity and eventually uplift the living conditions of the people in Mindanao if territory is reclaimed.
“This land, North Borneo, was a gift of the beleaguered Sultan of Brunei to our great grandfather Panglima Mahabassal Elidji after he had rescued the sultan and his family from near captivity in the hands of a palace coup, Misuari said.
In a speech before thousands of supporters at the Davao summit a week ago, Misuari gave orders to pursue the claim over Sabah, which he declared was owned by the MNLF and the Sultanate of Sulu.
Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of Sulu, who attended the summit, supported Misuari’s initiative.
Misuari said Malaysia continued to interfere in Mindanao affairs, conspiring with Philippine government officials to advance their agenda at the expense of the people.
The framework agreement, Misuari said, was a tool to promote disunity in Mindanao.
“To regain Sabah is very remote is there’s no unity among Muslims,” he said.
In his speech, Misuari also branded the framework agreement signed by MILF chairman Hadji Murad and the Philippine government “a wholesale capitulation [and] a complete surrender” to a conspiracy to dispossess the people of Mindanao of “their sacred homeland.”
Despite his earlier warnings of renewed war, however, Misuari urged his supporters not to resort to violence.
The Palace on Monday said it had no information on an allegation by Haj Gapul Hadjirul, political director of Misuari’s MNLF faction, that Malaysia had offered the MILF 2 billion ringgits—about P27 billion— for the right to search for oil in Mindanao.
In the House, two lawmakers from Mindanao belittled the suggestion, while Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano said Congress should look into the alleged deal.
Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong said they doubted the reported Malaysian offer.
“I don’t believe this story. It can be part of a scheme to belittle the [framework] agreement considering the outburst of MNLF leader Misuari,” Datumanong, a former peace negotiator and opposition stalwart, told the Manila Standard.
Hataman, vice chairman of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, said he found Hadjrul’s story “unbelievable.”
“I doubt it since the word came from the MNLF, not MILF,” Hataman said. He added it would be a waste of time if Congress were to investigate the report.
“I don’t think anybody with a sane mind would formalize any agreeement with the MILF at this point in time,” he said.-Black Pearl (October 30, 2012 3:20PM)
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