The Working Visit of Consul General to Zamboanga City and Jolo, Sulu 25 to 27 January 2011
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan accompanied by Consul Kamal Norfarid Kamarudin, undertook a working visit to Zamboanga City and Jolo, Sulu from 25 to 27January 2011, respectively. The visit was in collaboration with the International Monitoring Team (IMT)–Site 3 and Armed Forces of the Philippines – Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM).
2. On the first day, the Consul General visited the IMT Site 3 Office and was received by Col. Mohamad Ishak Zaki, Team Site 3 Leader. In the afternoon, the Consul General paid a courtesy call on Zamboanga Peninsular Regional Police Director, Chief Supt. Elpido de Asis, Brigadier General Celestino Pereyra, Deputy Commander for Peace Process and Brig. General Gerardo Layud, Deputy Commander of WESTMINCOM.
3. On the second day, Consul General accompanied by Brig. General Celestino Pereyra, Major Abdurasad Sirajan (Head of Mindanao Secretariat, GRP AHJAG), Col. Mohammad Zaki, Lt.Col. Alias Hassan, Major Mat Sidi Nor Hairi, Deputy Supt. Adenan Ahmad, Captain Sharbini Iqbal and Sgt. Ibrahim Hassan both from Brunei Royal Army departed Edwin Andrews Air based Zamboanga to Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu using Philippines Air Force Huey Choppers. Immediately upon arrival in Jolo, he paid courtesy call on Brig. General Romy Tanalgo, Commander of Joint Task Force Comet. Thereafter, the delegation departed to Camp Bud Datu and visited the Baginda Ali Shrine. During the visit to Jolo, the Consul General had a meeting with the Sulu Provincial Officials and Jolo City officials at Sulu Provincial Capitol Office, Jolo. Present in the meeting were Provincial Administrator Mr. Erwin Tan, Vice Mayor Edsir Tan and local government officials. At the meeting, the Consul General extended the invitation to Sulu provincial officials to participate in the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). In return, Provincial officials extended invitation for Malaysian businessmen to invest in Sulu. Both sides discussed the wider bilateral trade between Sulu and Sabah. After the meeting, a lunch was hosted by Sulu Provincial Office. In the afternoon, the Consul General paid a courtesy call on Sulu Provincial Police Office, Officer in-charge Supt. Amil Banaan, Camp PPSupt. Julusirim Kasim. Supt. Amil Banaan briefed the delegation on security updates of Sulu. Thereafter, the delegation visited Tulay Grand Mosque, Jolo Pier and Jolo Town Hall then departed Jolo for Edwin Andrews Air based. In the evening, in Zamboanga, the Consul General paid a courtesy call on Mayor Hussin Amin of Jolo who later hosted dinner for the delegation.
4. All in all, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the government officials in Zamboanga City and Sulu. The visit has been successful in promoting Malaysia’s presence in Mindanao. It has opened an opportunity for Malaysia to pave stronger ties with the two provinces especially in economic and security areas.
Consulate General of Malaysia
Davao City
Philippines
21 March 2011
From the left Major Mat Sidi Nor Hairi, Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Zamboanga Peninsular Regional Police Director, Chief Supt. Elpedio de Asis, Lt. Col. Alias Hassan and Major Abdurasad Sirajan
Consul General Azhar Mazlan paid a courtesy call on Mayor Hussin Amin of Jolo in a dinner hosted by the latter
Consul General Azhar Mazlan with Brig. General Romy Tanalgo together with IMT members, members of Brunei Royal Army and members of
Joint Task Force Comet
Consul General handed over token to Brig. General Celestino Pereyra
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan accompanied by Consul
Kamal Norfarid Kamaruddin together with IMT members, members of Brunei Royal Army and Joint Task Force Comet during a working
visit in Sulu, Philippines
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan during a Courtesy call paid on Brig. General Gerardo Layud, Deputy Commander of WESTMINCOM
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan with Brig. General Celestino Pereyra at Edwin Andrews based Zamboanga City