Official Visit of YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Panglima Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia, Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Malaysia to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(ARMM), Philippines
YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Panglima Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia, Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Malaysia undertook an official visit to the Philippines at the invitation of the Hon. Ansaruddin A. Adiong, Acting Governor of ARMM from 19 to 20 November 2010, respectively.
The former was invited as Guest Speaker at the Closing Program of the 21st ARMM Anniversary Celebration on 19 November, held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. YB Speaker was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Hadijah Teng Abdullah and 28 members of delegation which included officials from the Malaysian Parliament, family members as well as private individuals. HE Dato’ Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines also accompanied the Speaker during the visit. Apart from delivering a keynote speech at the Closing Program, YB Speaker also performed Friday prayers and visited the International Monitoring Team (IMT) Headquarters and had a lengthy exchange of views with Major General Datuk Baharom bin Hamzah, Head of the IMT. Consul General hosted luncheon whereas the Acting Governor hosted a traditional Maranao dinner called ‘Pagana’ in honour of YB Speaker and his delegation.
On his arrival, YB Speaker inspected a Guard of Honour at the Awang Airport, Cotabato City where executive officials of ARMM and Consul General were on hand to receive him. The warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to YB Speaker throughout the visit was evident as the ARMM officials and people in Mindanao look up towards Malaysia as a role model in socio-economic development. The visit has been successful in strengthening ties between Malaysia and the Philippines in the context of close cooperation at the political level given the extensive role Malaysia has been playing in bringing about a lasting peace to the conflict in Mindanao.
Consulate General of Malaysia
Davao City, Mindanao
Republic of the Philippines
22 November 2010
