SINGAPORE -- The kidnap-for-ransom hostage crisis triggered by the Abu Sayyaf rebels in a remote corner of the South China Sea has attracted worldwide attention. But of even greater significance, it has further strained ties between the Philippines and Malaysia, as each country blames the other for allowing the crisis to drag on, making them both appear inept in the eyes of the world.
The Philippines and Malaysia are core members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a grouping of 10 countries and 600 million people. Though both countries are friendly to each other, their bilateral ties, to begin with, lack the warmth and camaraderie when compared to the ties each country shares with other ASEAN members.
The cause for this can be traced to the Philippine territorial claim to the East Malaysian state of Sabah which also serves as a haven for illegal immigrants from the southern Philippines. Geographically, Sabah is in fact closer to the Philippines than peninsular Malaysia which is separated from the state by 1,000 km of South China Sea.