Malaysia: MILF’s Murad Ibrahim, Mohagher Iqbal not Malaysians

Mohagher Iqbal and Murad Ebrahim. FILE PHOTOS

LANGKAWI, Malaysia–The government has lashed out at a statement by a Davao member of parliament claiming that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) president Murad Ibrahim and his chief consultant, Mohagher Iqbal, are Malaysians.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government had confirmed that both leaders of the MILF were not Malaysians as claimed.

“I have checked with the Director-General of the Registration Department, including checking the personal information, date of birth and other details, and found that Haji Murad Ibrahim and (Mohagher) Iqbal are not Malaysians.

“I hope the member of parliament understands and this is the official stand of the Government of Malaysia on this issue,” he told reporters after officiating the Multi-nations Counter-Terrorism Exercise at the Langkawi International Shooting Range, here.

He said there were efforts to sabotage the peace talks arranged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak by claiming that both the MILF leaders were Malaysians.

“I do not want to be involved in the internal politics of the Philippines, but after studying the matter closely, I do not want the efforts of our Prime Minister to be broken down by baseless accusations,” he said.

NRD director-general Datuk Sulaiman Keling in a statement confirmed that Murad and Mohagher were not Malaysians.–Bernama/The Star/ANN