RG Ampatuan Visits Malacca

ARMM Trade and Industry Secretary Ishak Mastura said the visit of Governor Ampatuan to Malacca was very significant for ARMM because never in the history of the region has a State Government of a foreign country invited the ARMM Governor to officially visit their place with corresponding honors. He said that this honor is usually accorded to visiting dignitaries only.

Mastura said that Malaysia is very important to Mindanao not only because of its proximity buy because it is “currently facilitating the government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “ He added that International Monitoring Team (IMT) is now deployed in various parts of Mindanao to monitor ceasefire agreement between the Government and the MILF.

As a result of the state visit the ARMM has arrived at a marketing arrangement for raw rubber and exportation of mangoes with Malacca. ARMM’s component province of Basilan is among the Philippine’s leading producers of rubber while Maguindanao, through a scheme introduced by the region’s agriculture department, ha boosted its potential in mango production.

ARMM will likewise receive two scholarships from the Malaccan government and technical assistance on the region’s Halal Certification Scheme. The successful discussion between the autonomous regional government, headed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – ARMM, and JAKIM, Malaysia’s Halal Certifying Body, improves the chance of ARMM to penetrate the lucrative international halal market.

Halal certification is a process whereby products are declared suitable for Muslim consumption. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 2004-2010 Medium Term Development Plan envisions the ARMM to be the Halal-based food production center of the country.

These arrangements will be finalized when Malaccan Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri. Hj. Mohammad Ali bin Mohammad Rustam will visit the region most likely by Apritl this year.

In the State Dinner hosted by the Chief Minister Rustam, Regional Governor Ampatuan and his delegation received a briefing on the Dunia Melayu, Dunia Islam (Malay World, Islamic World) program of the Malacca State Government, which seeks to establish close cooperation and trade links with the rest of the Islamic Malay World in Southeast Asia.

“The State Visit rekindled centuries old affinity with Malacca since the Maguindanao Sultanate in ARMM has its origins in the Malacca Sultanate considering that its founder Shariff Kabunsuan was the son of a Malaccan princess,” Mastura said.

Governor Ampatuan had also graced the opening of a conference on the Common Malay Culture of the ARMM inhabitants and Malaysia.

“The successful State Visit of Regional Governor Ampatuan to the State of Malacca has definitely opened numerous opportunities for the region. The establishment of trade links as well as the technical assistance that the Malaccan Government will be extending to ARMM strengthens the ongoing developmental thrusts of the regional government,” says Bureau of Public Information Director Samson Gogo.

The delegation from ARMM included ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna, Cabinet Secretary Mustapha Sambolawan, Secretary Kabuntalan Emblawa (DENR), Secretary Razul Abpi (DPWH), Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., Secretary Ishak Mastura (DTI), Islamic adviser Ustadz Farid Solaiman and legal advisor, Atty. Arnel Datukon.

(Source:ARMM-Gazette)