Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: Interview with Al Haj Murad Ebrahim: 'We will fulfil the peace plan'

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Interview with Al Haj Murad Ebrahim: 'We will fulfil the peace plan'

From the New Straits Times (Nov 4): Interview with Al Haj Murad Ebrahim: 'We will fulfil the peace plan'

FOR A BETTER FUTURE: Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim talks to Leslie Andres on his journey to sign a framework agreement with the Philippine government:

Question: There are complaints from some groups that they have been sidelined in the peace talks with the Philippine government. Is this true?

Answer: On the domestic front, there is overwhelming support among the Bangsamoro people. There are groups which have expressed their reservations, but they are the minority. (The talks) open the door to dialogues with all Bangsamoro groups. This is why we are going "door to door" to have dialogues with all the groups. This is not just for the MILF but for also Bangsamoro.
We are optimistic that they (those who have expressed reservations) will support the peace plan soon.

Question: When you talk about groups expressing reservations, does this include Nur Misuari (leader of the Moro National Liberation Front)? Does the MNLF pose a threat to peace?

Answer: The MNLF has broken into five factions. Only Misuari has reservations. The others are supportive or have not stated their opinion. In 2010, the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation set up a memorandum of understanding, which Misuari signed, to establish a coordination mechanism for peace among all of us. Unfortunately, this has yet to become a reality. So far, there has been no violence (on the part of the MNLF). Misuari has about 1,000 people in his group. We are hoping that the ICFM can step in so that we can work together. We are saddened because Misuari has also been a leader of Bangsa- moro and sacrificed for it. What we don't understand is that we have achieved something, but he is not supportive of it.

Question: Do you still need the support of the international community?

Answer: This is why we are lobbying (foreign) countries (to aid the Bangsamoro people).
We hope all the countries that supported the peace process, especially Malaysia which worked hard to make it a reality, as well as non-governmental organisations and the International Monitoring Team that was set up to ensure the ceasefire was respected, will help us so that the people can feel there is an impact after signing the agreement.
We need to have their support to initiate rehabilitation.

Question: In what areas can Malaysia play a role?

Answer: Our priority is life-building (nation-building) programmes to help the people. We have been at war for decades and our people have suffered much. We welcome projects that will benefit the people. We are looking at agri-aqua projects as our lands are rich in (resources). We are especially interested in the Felda scheme in Malaysia. We have vast public land for oil palm projects that can be distributed (to the people). We are also looking at infrastructure projects such as building roads and even (the setting up of) small factories.

Question: Has Felda made any approaches or have you approached them?

Answer: In Malacanang (Palace in Manila, where the signing of the framework agreement took place), President (Benigno S. Aquino III) said he would raise the matter with your prime minister. Our analysis shows that it (Felda) can help our people.

Question: What about humanitarian aid? Do you need this?

Answer: Of course. There have been international NGOs here as early as 10 years ago helping with rehabilitation and humanitarian issues. We find that Malaysian NGOs are actively helping people in other parts of the world. With the signing (of the framework agreement), they can help us, too.

Question: What about education?

Answer: Education is one of our priorities because we lag behind other parts of the Philippines. Most of our people are not educated. If we can get grants or scholarships from international universities, like those in Malaysia, we can send our people to study there.

Question: Now that the framework agreement has been signed, where do you go from here?

Answer: Our two panels have to iron out details such as power and wealth-sharing as well as intergovernmental relationship. In the middle of this month, maybe we will return to Kuala Lumpur to start working on the annexes to the framework agreement. The president has to issue an executive order to set up a transition committee to draft basic laws for the two panels, which will serve as the governing laws for the Bangsamoro government. Hopefully by 2014 or 2015, we can establish the transition authority as a provisional government here. By 2016, we can form a government (by election). (The government) will take a ministerial form, so the election process may vary from the presidential elections. Anybody can aspire to take any position. It will not be dominated by the MILF.

Question: Has there been any resistance to this plan?

Answer: We have support among the Bangsamoro people. Among other Philippine people, some don't agree. Some people want a federal system. I think most politicians don't agree with this plan.

Question: Has there been any impact (of the signing of the framework agreement) on the grassroots?

Answer: We need to let the people know that there is an alternative to holding arms; that they can lead a normal life.They must also feel that they have security. So, we will establish a police force. Once our situation normalises, it will be better. It will not if they (continue to) hold firearms.

Question: Being a Muslim majority area, will you be establishing a syariah court?

Answer: There is already a syariah court established by the federal government. But it only deals with personal matters such as inheritance issues. We have agreed to expand the court's coverage.
We will have both syariah and civil courts as there are non-Muslims residing here. We will also respect the traditional means of settling issues practised by the indigenous tribes.

Question: Will the Bangsamoro government be looking at the legal system in Malaysia, where syariah and civil courts exist, as a model for its own system?

Answer: There will be some similarities. Our situation is the same (as Malaysia) but then every situation is different (from country to country).

Question: How do you see the roles of President Aquino and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the peace process?

Answer: We are happy that President Aquino and Prime Minister Najib are popular and strong leaders. That gives the agreement a boost and guarantees that it will be implemented. We especially appreciate Prime Minister Najib's presence at the signing. We are also grateful that the Global Movement of Moderates (mooted by Najib) is aligned with the peace accord. You will notice that moderate Islamic movements are prospering in the world. This also energises us to shift our own political line to a more moderate movement. We are also inspired by the moderation policy in Malaysia. We would like to (put forward) our unending expression of gratitude to the prime minister for his government's support. His encouragement and ideas give both parties much fuel. Likewise, we thank the Malaysian people who sympathise with us. (As for Aquino), we have a common understanding on the need to complete the peace process. At first, we were looking at a six-year transition period but it was agreed that this might take us into the next administration. That is why we opted for a three-year transition period, from 2013 to 2016 (when elections will be held a form a Bangsamoro government).

Question: So, you have confidence in President Aquino?

Answer: With the previous administrations, we felt they were just trying to contain the situation and not solving the problem. Now, after more than two years of negotiating with the present administration, we have a framework agreement for peace. We are convinced that the president has the political will and sincerity to solve the problem.

Question: What next for the MILF?

Answer: There are two options available to us. The first is to become a political party and the second is to serve as an Islamic (non-governmental) organisation.