KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – An eight-member Philippine delegation flew here Tuesday on a five-day visit aimed at enhancing trade and human resource development relationships earlier revived with the Malaysian authorities by assertive officials of the current administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Led by ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo, the delegation in its first days of sojourn here was received by the Malaysia parliament, particularly the office of Speaker Seri Utama Pandikar Amin Bin Haji Mulia, who visited last year the ARMM governance on official functions highlighted by his disclosure of family lineage to the Iranun tribe of the autonomous region.

With Sinarimbo are ARMM Labor Secretary Myrah Alih, Regional Economic Zone Authority Director Roslaini Sinarimbo, Regional Treasurer Kanggo Umal, Freeport Manager Moharrim Mohammad, Anisa A. Biruar, private secretary of ARMM acting Gov. Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong, Normallah A. Lucman, a consultant of the regional Interior and Local Government Secretary’s office, and this writer.

“We’re honored by your coming…The Malaysian Parliament, particularly the House of Representatives is keen to extend assistance it may help bring our Filipino brothers and sisters to greater heights,” Saleh Abas, a liaison officer on International Affairs and Protocol of the host parliament, speaking for House Speaker Pandilar, told the visiting officials upon meeting them at the international airport here Tuesday.

Pandikar, indisposed Tuesday with a prior appointment outside this premier city, invited ARMM officials last year to visit Malaysia and flesh out areas of concerns he earlier had tackled with executives of the autonomous region last year.

Pandikars’ representatives guided the visiting officials in a brief tour at the Malaysian Senate and House of Representatives, and later billeted them at a five-star hotel in this capital city.

Wednesday, the ARMM delegation met senior officials of the Malaysian International Trade and Industry, and the Federal Land Development Authority in separate meetings, which Sinarimbo described as vital to their five-day visit.

The ARMM is a component of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippine-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) established in 1994.

The Adiong administration enhanced the ARMM’s participation by reopening a direct trade with Malaysia early this year, something the delegation wants further enhanced in its visit, Sinarimbo said.

On Thursday, Sinarimbo said their delegation is set to meet with senior officials of the Malaysian Human Resources Ministry to discuss possible improvement in the current employment of labor forces from the autonomous region.