ARMM governor visits Malaysia's State of Malacca


ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan

Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be leaving for a state visit to Malaysia’s State of Malacca on an invitation by the Malacca government on January 23-26, 2006.

ARMM Trade and Industry Secretary Ishak Mastura said the visit of Governor Ampatuan to Malacca is very historic for ARMM because never in the history of the region has a State Government of a foreign country invited the ARMM Governor to officially visit their place with corresponding honors. He said that this honor is usually accorded to visiting dignitaries only.

Mastura said that Malaysia is very important to Mindanao not only because of its proximity but because it is “currently facilitating the government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).”

He added that International Monitoring Team (IMT) is now deployed in various parts of Mindanao to monitor ceasefire agreement between the Government and the MILF.

Mastura said some of Governor Ampatuan’s itinerary is to have a courtesy call to the Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

“The governor will convey to the Foreign Minister the ARMM government’s support to the substantive contributions of the IMT to the Mindanao peace process, adding that “incidents of clashes between the government and the MILF have been drastically reduced since the deployment of IMT giving the ARMM leadership and its foreign donor partners the chance to increase development activities to rehabilitate the conflict-affected areas.”

Also, a highlight of the visit will include presentation of the DTI-ARMM’s proposal to obtain technical assistance and tie up of the ARMM Halal Certification Scheme with Malaysia’s Halal Certifying Body (JAKIM).

The delegation is set to meet with the head of JAKIM and discuss possible collaboration.

Halal certification is a process whereby products are declared suitable for Muslim consumption. Under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 2004-2010 Medium Term Development Plan, it envisioned ARMM to be the Halal-based food production center of the country.

Also, Governor Ampatuan and his delegation will be meeting in a State Dinner the Chief Minister of Malacca. The delegation will receive briefing on the Dunia Melayu, Dunia Islam (Malay World, Islamic World) program of the Malacca State Government, which seeks to establish close cooperation and trade links with the rest of the Islamic Malay World in Southeast Asia.

“The State Visit will rekindle centuries old affinity with Malacca since the Maguindanao Sultanate in ARMM has its origins in the Malacca Sultanate considering that its founder Sharif Kabunsuan was the son of a Malaccan princess”, Mastura said.

Governor Ampatuan will also grace the opening of a conference on the Common Malay Culture of the ARMM inhabitants and Malaysia.

The delegation is scheduled to tour the Technology College Islam Melaka and Biotechnology Complex .

Mastura is positive that ARMM people could avail of Malaysia’s Short Term Course Program for them “to develop their skills and update their technical know-how in the fields of government administration, agri-industry, infrastructure management and environmental regulation.”

Bureau of Public Information Executive Director Samson Gogo said joining Gov. Ampatuan are ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna, Cabinet Secretary Mustapha Sambolawan, Secretary Kabuntalan Emblawa (DENR), Secretary Razul Abpi (DPWH), Secretary Udtog Kawit (DepEd), Secretary Ishak Mastura (DTI), Islamic adviser Ustadz Farid Solaiman and legal advisor, Atty. Arnel Datukon. (Press Release)