BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim receives the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino on Sept. 12, 2023 at Office of the Chief Minister, Bangsamoro Government Center, in Cotabato City. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino’s visit with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on Tuesday tackled their country’s continuing commitment to the peace process and economic developments in the region.
The discussion focused on the progress in the Bangsamoro region, encompassing the peace process, investments, capacity building, technical assistance, and digitalization in collaboration with the East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), which comprises Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
“Let us see how can we finalize and concretize support for the Bangsamoro government in these key areas, especially on peace process, capacity development such as Islamic Financing, Halal investment, and so on,” the Ambassador said.
Chief Minister Ebrahim recalled the crucial role of the Malaysian Government in the attainment of a peace agreement with the Government of the Philippines, saying, “Partnership with your Government had played an important role as the key facilitator in achieving this peace process in the Bangsamoro region.”
“On the peace process, we still have some areas that are not completely implemented. We still need a facilitator to continue and complete the process,” he added.
With the Ambassador were the Minister, Embassy of Malaysia, Manila Mr. Amaluzzaman Mohammad Asarani, Police Attaché, Embassy of Malaysia, Manila Supt Norazman Hassan Basan, Consul General of Malaysia, Consulate General of Malaysia in Davao City, and Mr. Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh.
Alongside the Chief Minister were Minister of Public Works Eduard Guerra, Minister of Trade, Investments and Tourism Abuamri Taddik, Assistant Senior Minister Abdullah “Dong” Cusain, and Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin Pendatun.
This effort is related to the BARMM Chief Minister’s Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda in sustaining and improving peace, justice, and security across the BARMM through stronger coordination and proactive collaboration with development partners. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from OCM)
