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
![MNLF to be a political party, says its new chairman MNLF to be a political party, says its new chairman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-05/81399389486_295x200.jpg)
ALONTO: We are trying to dismiss the perception that has long associated us with violence
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).