ZAMBOANGA CITY ? Moro leader Nur Misuari on Friday said Malaysia should not be given any role, much more allowed to act as mediator, in talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

?Malaysia is not the right mediator in this case, they cannot render justice to our case with respect to Sabah, it is well known that Sabah belongs to our people,? Misuari said at a Senate hearing led by Senator Rodolfo Biazon here.

The hearing was called in connection with Senate Resolution No. 1281, which seeks to suspend talks with the MILF in the aftermath of the August 12 Basilan clashes that led to the deaths of 23 government troopers.

Like Misuari, Biazon said he was also against Kuala Lumpur?s participation in the talks because of the Sabah issue.

North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol, who had always differed with Misuari in relation to the Mindanao peace efforts, supported the Moro National Liberation Front leader this time.

?I don?t understand why a country like Malaysia, with whom we are technically in conflict with, was allowed to penetrate our kitchen, counting the kitchen knives we have and they are running soldiers around and this is not to the best interest of our country,? Piñol said.

He said the government only has to fully understand what the Mindanao problem was all about to be able to solve it without the involvement of a third party.

?We were amused by the idea of Tony Blair negotiating peace in Mindanao, we are appalled by the suggestion of Manny Pacquiao bringing peace, and these showed how shallow and superficial the appreciation of some of our national leaders [is] of the Mindanao problem,? he said.

Doctor Grace Rebollos, president of the Western Mindanao State University and executive chair of Peace Advocates Zamboanga, said the government and the MILF should ?revisit the role of Malaysia as mediator and consider other foreign players.?

?We have over a hundred countries [which could help] here and we have our criteria, considering the conflict of interest with Malaysia, we need to consider other foreign players here,? she said.

Rebollos said the earlier suggestion of Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat that Indonesia can be part of the talks should be considered.

Despite their objections to Malaysia?s role in the talks, those who attended the hearing agreed were one in saying the government should continue negotiating with the MILF. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao