I first heard about Mindanao years ago, when I was in lower secondary school in the late 70s. Then I heard about this Nur Misuari, the leader once closely associated with Mindanao. But that was it. I didnt know much about that province - in Southern Philippines - until I got myself engaged fairly actively in academic discourses as a student in the University of Malaya. By then, not only we - the students from the Department of Southeast Asian Studies (back then, it wasnt really a 'department'; it was only a "Programme") - learned about Mindanao crisis, we also discussed about the four hot spots of the Southern Thailand provinces - Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Its all about "identity". Its a big deal. And it takes years for a government to find solutions, not without tears and blood. Malaysia has been playing a small part (or is it?) - as a mediator - in the Mindanao. The current general sentiment among the players shows that Indonesia could play a bigger role.
Last week, we had a short academic discourse on the Mindanao issue. Prof. Adbouh puts it exceedingly well by addressing issues relating to the future strategic arrangement under the new leadership especially with the new President sworning in by late June.
A lot of ideas poured in. Dato' Syed Ahmad Aidid, Dato' (Rtrd) Ambassdr Salehuddin, (Rtd) Colonel Ariffin, Dato' Qosim and a few other, especially those from the IDFR (Institute of Diplomatic & Foreign Relations) and Wisma Putra - apart from Prof Adbouh himself - contributed much to the discourse.
