KUALA LUMPUR: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is due to arrive in Malaysia on Wednesday for a two-day official visit, his first since assuming office on June 30 this year.
He is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as part of his series of introductory visits to Southeast Asian nations.
Sun Star Manila, in its report today, quoted Philippines Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose as saying that the two leaders are expected to discuss economic and security cooperation, including Malaysia’s role in the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Also on the cards are security issues in the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, counter-terrorism, and the Philippines’ chairmanship of Asean next year.
Malaysia is the Philippines’ 10th largest trading parter in 2015 and is the second largest investor in the country among all Asean-member states.
The report also quoted Jose as saying that Duterte could also raise his administration’s much-publicised campaign against the narcotics trade.
“Perhaps, issues on drugs may also be included in the discussion of transnational crimes. I’m sure, the President will mention our situation here and his anti-drugs campaign – how seriously illegal drugs’ situation in the country is,” Sun Star Manila quoted Jose as saying.
Duterte, he said, aimed to further deepen ties between the Philippines and Malaysia for the mutual benefit of the two nations and their people.
“The Philippines and Malaysia have had frequent exchanges of officials at all levels. The Philippines looks upon Malaysia, not as a brother nation and as a dependable partner, not only bilaterally but also within the larger context of the Bimpeaga (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area) and our beloved Asean community,” Jose said.
Duterte will be accompanied by several members of the Philippines Cabinet and senators. He is also expected to meet the Filipino community in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Jose maintained that bilateral talks between Duterte and Najib will not be affected despite claims by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari, that Malaysia had participated in the Sidapan kidnapping in 2000.
Jose, in the report, clarified that Misuari does not speak on the government’s behalf and said that the MNLF leader’s allegation was his “personal opinion.”
** Read the original Sun Star Manila article here: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/11/07/duterte-hold-bila...