Even before the peace talks between Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) resume under the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III, a stumbling block emerged after Sulu Sultan Muhammad Fuad Abdullah Kiram I asked on Thursday for Malaysia's disqualification as third-party facilitator because of the unresolved Sabah issue.

Malaysia has been a facilitator of the talks since former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo requested its help in 2001 in ending the Mindanao conflict and resolving the Bangsamoro issue.

But Kiram I does not see Malaysia as an “honest broker” as he vowed to continue pressing for the Sabah claim in a peaceful manner.

The Sultanate of Sulu and Sabah under Kiram I held a joint awarding program in Quezon City on Thursday with the Christian Muslim Democratic Movement (CMDM), which was highlighted by the first “His Majesty Sultan Fuad The First Community Service Award” at the Sulo Hotel.

He delivered a speech in which he assured that he was not advocating independence for Mindanao, at the same time pushing for the “Aland Suomi Genuine Autonomy (in Finland) for entire Muslim Mindanao.”

He also advocated co-equal respect for the rights, customs and traditions of Christians, Muslims and Lumads as well as forging brotherhood and amity between Islam and Christianity.