Philippine Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari, wanted for leading a bloody revolt, was arrested in Malaysia early Saturday, Inspector General of Police Norian Mai said.
Misuari and six of his followers were arrested at 3:30 am (1930 GMT Friday) on Jampiras island off Sabah state for illegally entering Malaysia via Jolo island in southern Philippines, Norian was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying.
Jampiras is the closest island to the Philippine-Malaysia international boundary and about 30 minutes by boat from the Sandakan town in Sabah, north of Borneo island.
Misuari, leader of a Moro National liberation Front (MNLF) faction is wanted by the Philippines government for leading a rebellion in which at least 113 people were killed last Monday.
Norian said police would try to hand Misuari and his men to the Philippine government as soon as possible, but declined to say where they were being held.
"We will inform the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur as soon as possible as we have to consider that he is wanted by the Philippine government," he added.
In the Philippines, President Gloria Arroyo was "very satisfied that the Malaysian government has been efficient enough to arrest him," her spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told DZBB radio.
Tiglao told AFP that Manila would hold talks with Kuala Lumpur to discuss the deportation of the former guerrilla leader turned politician.
The neighbors lack an extradition treaty.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said earlier Saturday that Malaysia would not grant Misuari political asylum.
"This is an internal matter of the Philippines and Malaysia should not interfere by providing refuge to rebels from other countries," Mahathir was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Malaysia had given sanctuary to Misuari and his guerrillas in the early 1970s.
After a peace agreement in 1996 the MNLF ended a 24-year guerrilla war and settled for Muslim self-rule in a Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) region that Misuari was appointed to govern.
Mahathir criticised Misuari's and his MNLF faction for failing to develop the ARMM.
"Autonomy has been accorded but unfortunately when in power, they did not use their power for the development of the southern Philippine region," he said.
"Instead we find its leaders like Misuari were seldom in the southern Philippines. They were more often outside the country or in Manila."
Mahathir added that "not much had been done for the benefit of the people."
"So therefore, we no longer feel responsible to provide him any assistance."
Philippine ambassador to Malaysia, Jose Brillantes, told AFP he had been informed of the arrests and was waiting for instructions from Manila.
He added that he did not know details of the arrests but was in contact with Malaysian police.
A Jolo court this week ordered the arrest of the Misuari, the founder of the MNLF, to stand trial for rebellion in connection with the latest revolt.
The Philippine foreign ministry canceled both his regular and diplomatic passports.
Misuari launched his revolt after Arroyo decided to back an MNLF rival in an election to be held Monday to choose the next ARMM governor.
The Philippine leader said the election was the "last stage of the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement."
The government has deployed thousands of troops to Jolo to deter attempts by Misuari followers to disrupt the balloting.
Some 1.1 million people are eligible to vote in the five provinces that make up the ARMM, ruled by Misuari since 1996. A total of 145 candidates are vying for 26 posts at stake, including 11 for governor – Kuala Lumpur (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
