S. China Sea, education, terrorism among other topics discussed during Malaysia PM Mahathir, Duterte meeting
(Eagle News) — Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad on Thursday, March 7, expressed Malaysia’s “desire to continue to be of help in the development of Mindanao,” following the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Mahathir, who arrived in the country for an official visit on Wednesday night, made the statement only almost a month after the BARMM replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under the newly ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Congratulating president Rodrigo Duterte for the ratification of the law and the appointment of members of the BARMM’s interim government, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, Mahathir said “we have to boost the economic ties between both countries” given the area’s “vast economic potential.”
Malaysia served as third-party facilitator in the government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front whose many members now form part of the BTA.
According to Mahathir, he believed there was still “room for improvement” in trade between the two countries, as he encouraged “private sectors from both countries to explore opportunities of collaboration and venture in new cooperation and investments.”
At present, the Philippines is Malaysia’s 15th biggest trading partner globally, and its fourth biggest in Southeast Asia.
“One of the main priority areas where cooperation could be exerted is to enhance connectivity which is vital to promoting economic development,” he said, noting the vital role of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, the subregional economic co-
Mahathir also said he looked forward to signing a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines on cooperation in the field of health.
He emphasized Malaysia has been a “favorite healthcare destination” of the Philippines, with the number of Filipino patients seeking treatment in his country increasing over the years.
In the field of education, the two leaders discussed programs for teachers and students and madrasas “especially in Mindanao.”
Security, S. China Sea, Korean Peninsula
In the field of security, Mahathir said Malaysia was “committed to take the necessary steps to address the serious issue of terrorism and violent extremism through the trilateral cooperation agreement.”
Under the framework, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia “have agreed to undertake unilateral maritime and air patrols to tackle the growing security challenges,” Mahathir said.
“We also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest such as the South China Sea, and the cooperation within (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” Mahathir said.
According to Duterte, the two leaders talked about “the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability safety and freedom of navigation, and overflight over the South China Sea as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
“This is without resort to the threat or use of force in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law,” Duterte said.
He said both he and Mahathir also “shared the international community’s hope for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, and noted efforts by relevant parties to achieve progress through dialogue.”