Misuari's wife and children arrive in Malaysia
(AFP) The wife of detained Philippines Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari has arrived in Malaysia along with their three children for a possible reunion, an associate said today.
Elly Pamatong, a US-based lawyer who said he represents Misuari, told AFP he was confident Muslim majority Malaysia would allow the meeting.
"I am waiting for the Malaysian authorities to contact me," he said.
Pamatong said he had faith Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad would approve the family reunion.
"Being a fellow Muslim, it is important that he helps a brother Muslim. Family reunification is important in Islam.
"The wife, Tarhata and children want to hold and embrace their father. This is a human need especially during this festive period of Christmas and New Year," he said.
Pamatong said Malaysia should press the Philippines to allow Misuari, 60, to go to a third country.
The lawyer said Tarhata, 26, wanted him to accompany them for the meeting with Misuari.
"I am like an elder brother to her. She is in a foreign country and she is fearful. She and the children will only meet Misuari if I join them," he said.
Access possible
Mahathir on Monday said Malaysia may allow Misuari's family to visit him.
"We will consider," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
Malaysia has repeatedly said it wants to deport Misuari as soon as possible, partly because it does not want to be tainted with any connection to what could be seen as Islamic terrorism.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo Friday rejected an appeal from the OIC for Misuari to be given sanctuary in a third country and instead vowed to put him on trial for rebellion.
Misuari's followers launched an uprising in the southern Philippine island of Jolo last month in a futile attempt to derail elections that ended his five-year hold on the governorship of a Muslim self-rule region.
(AFP) The wife of detained Philippines Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari has arrived in Malaysia along with their three children for a possible reunion, an associate said today.
Elly Pamatong, a US-based lawyer who said he represents Misuari, told AFP he was confident Muslim majority Malaysia would allow the meeting.
"I am waiting for the Malaysian authorities to contact me," he said.
Pamatong said he had faith Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad would approve the family reunion.
"Being a fellow Muslim, it is important that he helps a brother Muslim. Family reunification is important in Islam.
"The wife, Tarhata and children want to hold and embrace their father. This is a human need especially during this festive period of Christmas and New Year," he said.
Pamatong said Malaysia should press the Philippines to allow Misuari, 60, to go to a third country.
The lawyer said Tarhata, 26, wanted him to accompany them for the meeting with Misuari.
"I am like an elder brother to her. She is in a foreign country and she is fearful. She and the children will only meet Misuari if I join them," he said.
Access possible
Mahathir on Monday said Malaysia may allow Misuari's family to visit him.
"We will consider," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
Malaysia has repeatedly said it wants to deport Misuari as soon as possible, partly because it does not want to be tainted with any connection to what could be seen as Islamic terrorism.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo Friday rejected an appeal from the OIC for Misuari to be given sanctuary in a third country and instead vowed to put him on trial for rebellion.
Misuari's followers launched an uprising in the southern Philippine island of Jolo last month in a futile attempt to derail elections that ended his five-year hold on the governorship of a Muslim self-rule region.
Misuari fled after the short-lived rebellion and was arrested Nov 24 with six followers off an island in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island.
Malaysia provided sanctuary to Misuari's separatist group, the Moro National Liberation Front in the 1970s and 80s.
