Malaysian facilitator, HE Dato’ Tengku Ab’Ghafar bin Tengku Mohamed, passed away at around 9:00 am, September 2, at his home in Kuala Lumpur.
Dato Tengku just arrived last night from Teheran, Islamic Republic of Iran, to accompany his wife, who is also suffering from lingering illness.
The statement was signed in behalf of the MILF by Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.
The official statement reads in part as follows:
“It is with profound sadness that the MILF shares the passing of the Malaysian Facilitator, His Excellency Dato’ Tengku Ab’Ghafar Bin Tengku Mohamed, in the morning of September 2, 2016 at his home in Kuala Lumpur. Our heartfelt sympathies go to his family, friends and colleagues in the Malaysian Government.”
The statement repeated the Islamic prayers whenever a Muslim, man or woman, dies: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” which means “From Allah we came from and to Him we shall return”.
Dato Tengku Ghafar officially assumed his role as the Malaysian Facilitator during the 21st round of peace negotiations April 27 to 28, 2011. However, he led the delegation of Malaysian officials that visited the late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim to discuss the resumption of the peace talks in 2001 after the "all-out-war” between GPH forces and the MILF. Since then, Dato Tengku Ghafar was knowledgeable on the plight and political struggle of the Bangsamoro people.
The statement pointed out that while acting on behalf of Malaysian Government, as the Facilitator of the peace talks, Dato’ Tengku Ghafar provided a trusted space for the GPH and MILF peace panels to discuss and reach agreements on the toughest issues concerning the Bangsamoro Question.
The MILF also praised Dato’ Tengku with these words: “Exemplifying professionalism of the highest degree, wisdom, patience and compassion, he placed importance on building trust and relationship as well as integrity of the peace process.”
The MILF also noted that Dato’ Tengku had always emphasized that international and third parties serve at the pleasure of the GPH and the MILF and that decision making and ownership must remain with the parties.
He patiently and tirelessly worked with both peace panels as the negotiations led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. After the signing of the agreement, he continued to act as support for both parties to tackle issues during the implementation of commitments and advised to find creative solutions tackle challenges.
The MILF also highly acknowledged the exceptional role played by Dato’ Tengku in the peace process: “Without any doubt that the GPH and the MILF peace process would not have reached this point without the guidance, leadership and steadfast captaincy of Dato’ Tengku Ghafar, from the time parties agreed on the Ten Decision Points in April 24, 2011 and until the launching of the implementation phase under the administration of President Duterte earlier last month.”
Finally, the MILF’s statement ended with a confession that the GPH and MILF might have lost a champion of the Bangsamoro peace process, his wisdom, patience and acumen will be remembered.
Asked to say about the passing away of Dato’ Tengku, Mohagher Iqbal, chairperson of the MILF Implementing Panel, described him as an honest peace broker, a sincere friend, and a diplomat of the highest caliber.
“He is such a nice person and he is full of wisdom,” Iqbal disclosed.
Iqbal recalled the many instances in past years where Dato’ Tengku used to urge the MILF peace panel to make concessions in order to push the peace process further.
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/76-international/872-malaysian-facilitator-in-gph-milf-peace-process-passes-away
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