Lessons in diplomacy: PH-Malaysia ties strong despite Sabah claim, says ex-envoy

MANILA - A veteran foreign affairs official believes the public can learn a thing or two from the Philippines' relationship with Malaysia as President Duterte improves bilateral relations with China.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs J. Eduardo Malaya said the Philippines' relations with Malaysia are able to remain strong, economically and culturally, despite several issues like the Sabah claim.

"The bilateral relations (between the Philippines and Malaysia) is pretty good. It's quite productive. And I think now it is in a trajectory wherein both sides can look forward to even greater level of cooperation," he told ANC.

Malaya, who was the country's ambassador to Malaysia from 2011 to 2017, said the Philippines was able to attain this stage in bilateral relations with Malaysia through dialogue and consultations.

He added that in dealing with neighboring countries like Malaysia, one should take on both the opportunities and challenges in terms of foreign policy.

"Keep engaged always. Continually talk and consult with each other. Work out problems," said Malaya who described himself as a keen observer of the ties between the two neighboring countries.

In 2013, Filipinos in Lahad Datu in Sabah were forced to evacuate following a standoff between Malaysian forces and a group who called themselves the "Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo."

The incident brought to surface the Philippines' long-standing claim to Sabah. But President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak agreed last year to set aside the issue.

• READ: PH, Malaysia put Sabah dispute on 'back burner'

Now, Malaya said the Philippines' relations with Malaysia are improving with more Filipino businesses growing there, citing around 600 Petron stations in Malaysia and 11 Pancake House branches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

He said the government is now able to provide services to Filipinos in Sandakan, Sabah. He admitted, however,that more needs to be done for Filipinos who are mostly undocumented in Sabah.

For Malaya, Malaysia is the Philippines' most important South East Asian partner because of its geography and the two countries' long history of friendship.