Working Visit of the Hon. Datuk Dr. Hj Abd Latiff bin Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Defence, Malaysia to Mindanao 9 to 10 April 2011
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Hon. Datuk Dr. Hj Abd Latiff bin Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Defence Malaysia undertook a working visit to Mindanao on 9-10 April 2011. Prior to visiting Mindanao, he had a series of official engagements in Manila on 7-8 April 2011. The Deputy Minister was accompanied by wife Madam Datin Hjh Zuraidah binti Endot, HE Dato’ Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines and wife Madam Datin Seri Dato’ Zainab Abdul Kader together with high ranking officials of Armed Forces of Malaysia namely Lt. Jen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi bin Raja Mohamed Noor, Chief of Staff, Lt. Jen Dato’ Seri Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah bin Hj Mohd Nawawi, Commander Field Army, Mej. Jen Datuk Baharom bin Hamzah, Deputy Chief of Staff MAB J5 and Mej Jen Dato’ Ishak bin Yeop Hamzah, Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence. Nine members of Malaysian media also accompanied the Deputy Minister.
2. On his arrival at the Awang Airport, Cotabato City, the Consul General was on hand to receive the Deputy Minister and his delegation. Whilst in Mindanao, the Deputy Minister had a hectic program, among others, visit to the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) Headquarters in Cotabato City, meeting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Camp Darapanan as well as meeting with executives of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). After Cotabato City, the Deputy Minister proceeded to Davao City (about five hours drive from Cotabato City). In Davao City, the Deputy Minister met with Malaysians residing in Mindanao at a dinner program organized by the Consul General.
3. The visit to Mindanao although brief, has been successful in enhancing further the relations and cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines not only through Malaysia’s commitment in bringing about a negotiated peace settlement between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF but also at the political level particularly with the visit to the ARMM. The visit has received a wide coverage by the Philippine media.
Consulate General of Malaysia
Davao City
Philippines
12 April 2011
