AZURA ABAS AND FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR New Straits Times 10 Nov 16;
PUTRAJAYA: The Philippines government is ready to offer Malaysia land for oil palm plantations in southern Philippines to boost the economy there.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has agreed to offer the land to any interested parties.
Najib however, stressed that security aspects remain a concern.
“We have to look at the security level. A peaceful southern Philippines will draw more new investments from Malaysia.
“Such an investment is highly needed by the people of southern Philippines,” he told a press conference after a bilateral meeting with Duterte today.
Najib also expressed hope that Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) can open its regional office in Kota Kinabalu.
However, due to legal issues and the Philippines' claim on Sabah, it has become a stumbling block, and has yet to be realised.
"In this respect, I have suggested to Duterte to put aside the Sabah claim issue and find a practical solution to enable the set up of the BIM-EAGA office," he said.
