MNLF willing to hold backdoor talks with Malaysia

From the Philippine Star posted to ABS-CBN (May 8): MNLF willing to hold backdoor talks with Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) expressed willingness to hold backdoor talks with Malaysia for the peaceful resolution of the group’s claim over the Sultanate of Sulu that includes Sabah and Sarawak.

MNLF spokesman Absalum Cerveza yesterday confirmed that the emissary of the Malaysian government has sought a dialogue on the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak in the declaration of independence of Bangsamoro Republik under the leadership of the MNLF.

“The MNLF is open to dialogue for the peaceful resolution of the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak as part of the Bangsamoro Republik,” he said.

However, Cerveza clarified that the Sultanate of Sulu will be in the forefront of any talks, as they have the proprietary rights over the disputed territories.

He said the claim of the sultanate is the basis of the MNLF declaration to include Sabah and Sarawak in the declaration of independence.

Cerveza was reacting to reports that Abraham Idjirani, the spokesman for Sultanate of Sulu, had met with the Malaysian emissary for a possible meeting in Malaysia.

Cerveza declined to provide more details but The STAR source privy to the ongoing backdoor negotiations said Malaysia wants a compromise with the MNLF to exclude Sabah and Sarawak from the Bangsamoro territory, as submitted to the United Nations committee on decolonization.

“Malaysia and the MNLF have been close allies in the past, in fact the MNLF was allowed to set training camps in the early 1970s in Malaysia and the Malaysians want to revive the alliance,” the source said.

The source said the MNLF has not yet made any commitment but preparations are ongoing for the possible talks in Malaysia.

MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari on July 27, 2013 proclaimed the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik, which supposedly includes Basilan, Mindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, Sabah and Sarawak.

The declaration was made two months before the MNLF attempted to raise the Bangsamoro flag in Zamboanga City that triggered a three-week fighting and resulted in the death of hundreds of people.

The source said the inclusion of Sabah is supported by proprietary rights of the Sultan of Sulu, which up to this time is recognized by Malaysia.

“The MNLF has mass bases in Sabah including the Royal Sultanate Army, which are now holed up in the hinterlands of Lahad Datu,” the source said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/08/15/mnlf-willing-hold-backdoor-talks-malaysia