Malaysia's interest in the Bangsamoro peace deal: Regional Effects of this deal

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak came to the Philippines to witness a peace deal forged between his Islamic brothers and sisters with those of their fellow non-Islamic believers. Known to many, Malaysia has been playing an active part in negotiating for peace in the Southern Philippines. Unknown to many, several countries should likewise be thanked for, like the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Libya and Saudi Arabia. These countries worked behind the scenes so that the aspiration of the Bangsamoro to live in a state of being dictated by his own religion Islam is achieved.

However, there are obviously state-related interests here. Malaysia considers the south as something to be managed because of its proximity to the Islamic country. Border security is one. Malaysia has a serious immigration issue. However, last year, Malaysia realized the criticality of resolving the issue of peace when adherents of the Sultan of Sulu came barging into their borders.

If left unattended, Mindanao could have transformed itself into a radical Islamist state which would harm the very security of Malaysia. Through the years, with the fires of Islamist struggle raging, several groups turned the revolutionary struggle into a higher struggle, agreeing to host regional terrorists whose beliefs in the creation of a regional Sultanate surpasses that of the original striving of just creating a Bangsamoro state.

Had the Philippine government failed in this peace deal with the MILF, the possibility of extremism rising is huge. The impact is unimaginable. Think of the effects of more than 12,000 armed men rising simultaneously and occupying territories right and left. That is not just a local security nightmare but a potential serious regional security threat even to neighbours of Mindanao, such as Malaysia.

A peace deal would allow the economic development of Mindanao to proceed in break neck speed. Malaysia is expected to benefit largely from the development of Mindanao. It would develop the regions of Malaysia which lie proximate to the new Bangsamoro state, and the possibility of this state even surpassing the growth of Metro Manila as a center of trade and commerce is big. The Southern trade corridor became undeveloped due to the serious security issues which hamper the free flow of trade. With the huge security threat lifted, it is highly probable that economic development would follow unhampered in that side of the Philippines.

Saudi Arabia, for one, has intimated its desire to invest big in the Bangsamoro state. With Middle Eastern monies flowing in Mindanao, this will create thousands of jobs and trade opportunities in that side of the world.

This explains why this Bangsamoro peace deal is historic and its effects far reaching. This does not just end years of infighting, but will eventually spur development in that region left neglected by political-economic interests based in Manila for decades.

Expect this Bangsamoro state to become a new center of trade and commerce in the BIMP-EAGA region, another potential Islamic center, even better than Singapore. Note that Mindanao has rich natural resources. Note that Mindanao has vast lands underdeveloped. And note that Mindanao has a huge consumer market just waiting for peace to come so that traders of all shapes and sizes would be able to do their businesses uninterrupted.