Malaysia to deport Philippines' Misuari

The Philippine government has charged Nur Misuari with rebellion

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia is expected to repatriate Philippine renegade governor Nur Misuari, despite Manila's disinterest in having him back, Malaysian officials said Tuesday.

"He will be deported, we won't put him in a jail here," an official of Malaysia's home (interior) ministry told Reuters news agency.

Earlier, Manila said it is not keen on having Misuari back, adding that he should be prosecuted under Malaysia's immigration laws.

Misuari, whose supporters stormed a military outpost last week and abducted scores of civilians Tuesday, was arrested in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah over the weekend.

The revolt and associated violence has left nearly 200 people dead.

Under pressure

Malaysia does not want anything to do with Misuari, aware of the pressures that are associated in meddling in such a complicated affair.

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"Can you imagine the kind of pressure we might be facing from the OIC," the official said, referring to the influential Organization of the Islamic Conference to which Malaysia also belongs.

Misuari has previously enjoyed substantial support from the OIC, which backed the peace treaty Misuari signed with the government in 1996.

The treaty led to the dissolution of Misuari's group, the Moro National Liberation Front, and the creation of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao where Misuari was named as governor.

Subversive activities

The official, who declined to be named, also said that Misuari is also being investigated for "suspected subversive activities" in Malaysia.

"We believe Misuari may be behind some subversive activity in Sabah," the home ministry official told Reuters.

He did not elaborate.

"So far, there has been no official request from the Philippine government that we charge him. Even if there is, we will use our own discretion," the official said.

Scores of civilians were abducted by Misuari's supporters to be used as human shields

The official Bernama news agency quoted Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi as saying Malaysia was waiting for approval from the Philippines to deport Misuari, whom officials said had not asked for asylum.

"We have no problems (in sending back Misuari)...when the Philippine government is ready we will deport him. It is President (Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo herself who asked that for the moment we hold Nur Misuari first," Abdullah told reporters.

He said it was now left to the Philippine government to fix the date and place for the handing over of Misuari.

But Arroyo expressed hope on Sunday that Malaysia would indict Misuari, who faces rebellion charges at home after instigating a war between Manila and his armed supporters.

"Personally, I want him to stay in (a) Malaysian jail," Arroyo said after Misuari's capture.