M'SIA HOPES MILF-PHILIPPINE GOV'T TALKS WILL END IN PEACE ACCORD

PEKAN (Pahang, Malaysia), Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes that talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government will result in a peace agreement soon, Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday.

He said Malaysia would continue to play the role of facilitator of the peace talks with the agreement of the two sides.

"The talks will continue until a decision is reached. There is no time limit. Malaysia will continue to be the facilitator so long as both sides want it to be so," he told reporters when asked to comment on the two-day talks between the two sides in Kuala Lumpur beginning Wednesday.

Najib spoke to reporters after opening the Bukit Kenau Integrated Housing Community Centre in Pulau Manis Mukim here.

On Tuesday, Philippine online business newspaper BusinessWorld reported government chief negotiator Mario Victor F. Leonen as saying that the government panel had been ordered by Philippine President Benigno S. C. Aquino III to craft a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Moro insurgency within one year.

He had said that the meeting of the peace panels in Kuala Lumpur, among others, would discuss the extended term of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).

Leonen had also said that the Philippine government was also keen to revive another mechanism, called the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute proposed by the MILF in past negotiations, whereby through this mechanism, young Moro leaders might further train to lead and manage in the future.

He also said that the MILF was expected to clarify issues involving the resignation of commander Ameril Umbra Kato and the formation of his Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

On another matter, Najib said the government was considering implementation of visa-upon-arrival for Taiwanese nationals.

"Whatever it is, we do it with the agreement of China. It will be conveyed to China that there will no diplomatic problems with China should we decide to give visa-upon-arrival to Taiwanese tourists," he said.

Central News Agency (CNA), Taiwan's national news agency, reported on Tuesday quoting Taiwan Foreign Affairs Ministry Director-General of the Department of East Asian & Pacific Affairs, Matthew Lee, that Malaysia was likely to grant Taiwanese travellers visa-free treatment by the end of March.

He said the Malaysian Cabinet had reached a consensus to grant Taiwanese visitors visa-free treatment and an official announcement could be made in the first quarter of this year.

Malaysia cancelled visa on arrival for all countries on Aug 15 last year because many visitors had abused the privilege and overstayed.

Taiwan has allowed Malaysians to visit Taiwan without a visa since 2002.