Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi appeals for support from the ex-separatist group of the South Philippines, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front–MILF in relation to the release of three Indonesian citizens who are still held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group. Spokesperson of Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Arrmanatha Nasir in his press conference, Jakarta on Thursday (February 1, 2018) said the appeal was submitted by Minister Retno Marsudi in her meeting with the MILF delegation in Jakarta on Thursday (February 1st, 2018).
“…In the context of hostages problem, the Minister also expressed her concern about this matter; the Minister also stated that the government has made various efforts through all of our channels and of course, we also appeal for support from MILF if they can help to free the hostages, but more than the appeal, we also ask them to help preventing this problem in the future,” Armanatha said.
The meeting of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) delegation led by All Hajj Murad Ebrahim with the Indonesian Minister Retno in Jakarta was conducted with the main objective of studying the sucessful peace process or reconciliation in Aceh. Besides, the MILF delegation also held a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla and representatives of Islamic organizations in Indonesia, such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.//// (VOI/Rezha/AHM)