The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of the Philippines is in the process of overhauling the organisation, including transforming itself from a revolutionary organisation into a political party in preparation for the country's general election in 2016.
Its newly appointed chairman, Abul Khyer Alonto in a special interview with Bernama Tuesday said the organisation might use a proposed official name, 'Bangsamoro Federalista Muslim Mindanao' (Bangsamoro Federal Party in Muslim Mindanao) to replace the current name.
However, Alonto who was also one of the original top 90 Freedom Fighters, pointed out that the consolidation and discussion with the organisation's top leaders were still ongoing.
"We are also trying to dismiss the perception that has long associated us with violence. I beg to the people of the Philippines...please help me, correct me if I am wrong and support me if I am right," he said.
Alonto was officially appointed as the new MNLF chairman on March 3.
Another prominent Muslim organisation in Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), had also announced its intention to take the form of a political party right after the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was inked last March 27.
MILF, which was initially known as 'the new leadership', broke away from MNLF in 1984 after a disagreement on leadership.
Asked whether both organisations would merge as one political party, Alonto said it might happen but for the time being, both organisations would register as different political parties.
"Both the MILF and MNLF will still function as an instrument and agent for Bangsamoro," he said.
Nevertheless, he said, talks on merger and unity had been going on between them, and for the elections in 2016, there had also been an agreement that each organisation would contest for certain designated locations.
"I do not see any great divide or conflict in the first place. I also do not see any serious contradiction, as we look at them as parallel. We are brothers, we are one, we come from the same movement, and we share a common cause, " he said.
Alonto is here for a working visit.
Bernama
Tue May 06 2014
ALONTO: We are trying to dismiss the perception that has long associated us with violence
Penyakit berkaitan haba dikhuatiri meningkat di Gaza
Penularan penyakit berkaitan haba panas menjadi kebimbangan terbaharu di Gaza selepas suhu luar jangka melampau melanda wilayah itu setiap hari. Ia sudah semestinya diburukkan lagi dengan kekurangan air bersih dan ketiadaan sistem pembuangan sisa pepejal yang sepatutnya wujud di sesebuah kawasan didiami manusia.
Ilhan Omar melawat peserta tunjuk perasaan
Wakil Dewan Perwakilan Amerika Syarikat (AS) Ilhan Omar mengadakan lawatan di kampus penyokong Pro Palestin di Universiti Columbia New York pada Khamis.
Dua lelaki didakwa jadi 'tali barut' kepada China
Dua lelaki yang mana salah seorangnya pernah bertugas di Parlimen United Kingdom (UK) enjalani proses perbicaraan di mahkamah London pada Jumaat selepas didakwa menjadi tali barut menyalurkan maklumat sulit kerajaan kepada negara tembok besar itu.
Polis serbu pejabat 'Save the Children' di Guatemala
Polis Guatemala melakukan serbuan mengejut ke atas pejabat-pejabat Pertubuhan Save the Children di pelbagai lokasi di negara itu. Ia bagi mencari bukti dakwaan pertubuhan yang memperjuangkan kebajikan kanak-kanak itu, terlibat dalam jenayah penderaan terhadap golongan itu.
LIMA '25 dianjurkan pada 20-24 Mei tahun depan
Pameran Maritim dan Aeroangkasa Antarabangsa Langkawi 2025 (LlMA ‘25) akan dianjurkan pada 20 hingga 24 Mei tahun depan bertemakan Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow.
Malaysia komited tingkat hubungan dua hala bersama Libya
Malaysia terus komited mempertingkatkan hubungan dua hala yang berterusan bersama Libya demi manfaat bersama dalam pelbagai sektor.
Demi rakyat, Zahid-Muhyiddin henti saman fitnah
Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan Presiden Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin bersepakat untuk menamatkan pertikaian peribadi antara mereka.
Sultan Selangor berangkat ke Majlis Bacaan Yassin di Pangkalan TLDM
Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah yang juga Kepten Yang Dipertua Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) berkenan berangkat ke Pangkalan TLDM Lumut di Perak bagi menghadiri Majlis Bacaan Yasin, Tahlil dan Khutbah Khas sempena Sambutan Hari TLDM ke-90.
PM Anwar pulangkan elaun Pengerusi Khazanah
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim memaklumkan beliau memulangkan elaun sebagai pengerusi Khazanah Nasional Berhad yang diterimanya dan sekali lagi menegaskan tidak menerima gaji bagi jawatan Perdana Menteri yang disandangnya sejak November 2022.
10 Berita Pilihan - (26 April 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.