Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday lauded President Duterte for his efforts to attain peace in Mindanao, saying the Philippines may have many islands but remains “one nation.”
Mahathir, on a two-day official visit to the country, met Duterte on issues of mutual interest and concern in Malacañang after being given a red-carpet welcome.
“We are very gratified to be congratulating you on the peace that has been achieved in the southern Philippines,” the visiting Malaysian leader said at the start of the expanded bilateral meeting.
“This is a problem that has lasted, I think, from the Spanish period. But it has taken centuries even for proper conclusion to be achieved. And the conclusion there must be sought of course is that of achieving peace in the nation of the Philippines,” he added.
While he cited Duterte’s “generosity” in achieving peace in the southern region, Mahathir stressed the need to have a good government that looks after the people.
“This is a country of 7,000 islands divided by the seas but it is still one nation. And I think the people of the Philippines deserve to have a good system of government that caters to the needs and visions of all its people,” he said.
Mahathir said he was glad to visit the Philippines, saying he intends to strengthen Malaysia’s ties with its neighbor and promote the cause of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“Although we belong to a regional group, it is only after we became independent that we know that there are countries within the group,” he said. “We shall have the capacity to help each other by working together,” he added.
Duterte said Mahathir’s visit was an opportunity to renew and reaffirm valued relations between the two nations.
“With the Philippines and Malaysia staying on track as part of the growth engines of Asia and the world, broadening our engagement across many fields will be crucial for the continued benefit of our nations and people,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he hopes the two nations would open “new areas of cooperation, more meaningful partnership.” (Genalyn Kabiling)
