Malaysia–Philippines relations

Malaysia–Philippines relations

Malaysia	Philippines

Malaysia–Philippines relations refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and the Philippines. The Philippines has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Manila and a consulate general in Davao City. The people of the two neighbouring countries have a long history of cultural and political relations.

They are both founding members of ASEAN, both countries are of Malayo-Polynesian stock, and both are important trading partners. The two countries have participated in joint conservation measures in the Sulu Sea, which lies between the two countries.

Malaysia has assisted in peacekeeping efforts in the Muslim insurgency in Mindanao. The countries are both involved in ongoing disputes over ownership of the Spratly Islands and parts of Sabah.

History

In 1959, shortly after Federation of Malaya became independent, the Philippines established a legation in Kuala Lumpur. Both countries are current members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Asian Union. Together with the Republic of Indonesia, the two countries were also members of Maphilindo, a short-lived nonpolitical union formed during a summit in Manila from 31 July to 5 August 1963. The organisation was dismantled after one month, partly due to Indonesia's policy of Konfrontasi with Malaysia. The two countries co-operate closely in many areas.

Diplomatic relations

Cultural

File:Malayo-Polynesian.svg

The western Malayo-Polynesian languages, under the simplifying classification of Wouk & Ross (2002).

  Borneo–Philippines (not shown: Yami in Taiwan)

  Sunda–Sulawesi (not shown: Chamorro)

  Central Malayo-Polynesian

  Halmahera–Geelvink Bay

  the westernmost Oceanic languages

The people of the island complex that includes Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are ethnically similar, with most speaking closely related Malayo-Polynesian languages. Both countries also have large Chinese minorities, who often maintain close cross-border ties.

Economic

Malaysia and the Philippines are important trading partners. In 2002, the Philippines was the 16th largest export market and the 9th largest import market of Malaysia. Malaysia on the other hand is the 7th largest export market and 8th largest import market of the Philippines. Malaysia is also second main source of foreign investments for the Philippines among all of the members of the ASEAN countries.

Labour

Main article: Filipinos in Malaysia

There are many transient workers from the Philippines in Malaysia, subject to periodic expulsions.

Marine conservation

Malaysia and the Philippines have participated in joint conservation measures in the Sulu Sea, which lies between the two countries.

Aid from Malaysia

During the 2013 Bohol earthquake, the Malaysian Government has donated a total of MYR100,000 for children affected by the disaster. While after the Typhoon Haiyan hit Philippines, the Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has quickly contacted the Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to determine the aid required. Malaysian Filipinos communities also help to collect relief items to be sent to the country. By 13 November, the Malaysian Government has donated a total of $1 million along with the sending of essential items such as food and medicines worth $310 thousand using the RMAF Charlie C-130 aircraft. One of Malaysian major commercial bank Maybank also contributed to donate $330,000 to the Philippine Red Cross along with the arriving of the Malaysian disaster relief team. While on 22 November, the Malaysian Red Crescent has raised a total of $55,000 donations from the Malaysian citizens and deploy a Rapid Deployment Squad to the Philippines. In 2014, the Malaysian state of Sarawak also had delivered P1.32M to help the Yolanda (Haiyan) typhoon survivors to continue their lives.

Malaysia also become the main facilitator for the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro to create peace and establish the Bangsamoro area in Southern Philippines.

Disputes and diplomatic incidents

Sabah dispute

Main article: North Borneo dispute

Between September 1963 and May 1964, diplomatic relations between the two countries were suspended due to a dispute over the Philippines’ claim to North Borneo, which the eastern part had once been part of the Sulu Sultanate. Relations were suspended again, due to the same issue, between 1968 and 1969.

In February 2013, a group of armed men claiming to have been sent by Jamalul Kiram III, a self-proclaimed Sultanate of Sulu have landed in Sabah which led to an armed clashed with the Malaysian security forces. During the standoff, at least 56 Sulu forces were killed including 6 civilians and 10 Malaysian forces. His desperate action were widely criticised by both Sabah residents and Filipino migrants and expatriates in Sabah as the main cause for the increase of Anti-Filipino sentiment, negative perceptions and discrimination towards Filipinos in the state.

Claim over Spratly Islands

Main article: Spratly Islands dispute

Malaysia and the Philippines both claim a portion of the disputed Spratly Islands, some or all of which are also claimed by Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of China. The Philippines have had a claim on the islands, officially since independence in 1946, though they have only actively pursued the claims since 1956. In 1979, they said they only wanted seven of the islands that were under their control. Malaysia has staked a claim since 1976, claiming that the southern islands are part of their land under the Law of the Sea as a part of their continental shelf.

Sabah attacks and Mindanao conflict

Main articles: Moro attacks on Malaysia, Jabidah massacre, and Moro conflict in the Philippines

It is believed that the Philippine government under Ferdinand Marcos were once planning an attack to "destabilise" Sabah through an operation known as the "Operation Merdeka". As a consequence, the Malaysian government were once supporting the insurgency in Mindanao, although recently Malaysia has assisted in the peacekeeping efforts. The threats were continued until today when some Filipino politicians seems supporting militants raids over Malaysia, which threatening ties between the two countries. Due to the frequent threats and attacks, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister has made a proposal to ban barter trade between Malaysia and the Philippines as it was seen only benefited to one side and threatening the security of the state. This was enforced then although facing numerous opposition from the Malaysian opposition parties and Filipino resident on the nearest Philippine islands due to the raise of the living cost in their region after the ban, while receiving positive welcomes by Sabahans residents and politicians.

See also

• Malaysia–Philippines border

External links

• Overview of Philippine–Malaysia relations from the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur.