KLUANG: The peace process in southern Philippines must be expedited to avoid the region from becoming a magnet for Islamic State (IS) militants fleeing West Asia.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said with the successful offensive by western powers in Syria and Iraq, displaced IS militants could seek refuge in volatile Southeast Asian Muslim regions such as southern Philippines and southern Thailand.
"With the Abu Sayyaf militants having already taken an oath of allegiance to IS, they would definitely welcome the fleeing IS militants.
“That is why it is important for the peace process to be concluded, whatever it takes," said Hishammuddin after opening Sekolah Agama Bukit Paloh in Paloh, near here today.
Also present was Kahang assemblyman R Vidyananthan.
Hishammuddin said all parties in the negotiations, including Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are committed to the peace process.
He added that Duterte, during his state visit here last year, had also asked Malaysia to continue playing a lead role in the International Monitoring Team (IMT), which oversees the implementation of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF, as well as monitors aspects of civilian protection and humanitarian rehabilitation.