Anifah said it was among the things discussed during his meeting with Philippines president Benigno S Aquino III in Manila on Tuesday, and that he would continue communicating with the Philippines foreign ministry on the progress.
Seaweed farm manager Tsen Vui Chung, 42, and his cousin and farm supervisor Lai Wing Chau, 33, were kidnapped from Pulau Sebangkit, Semporna on Feb 7, and the families of the victims claimed that a RM2 million ransom was demanded.
"We've discussed about the kidnappings, and he (Aquino) says that the Philippines government will do everything possible to secure the release of these two kidnap victims.
"But like they said, they have to handle this matter very,very carefully because we do not want to endanger the lives of these two victims," he told reporters after attending a luncheon with some 30 ambassadors and high commissioners at a resort in Gaya Island near here.
The envoys had come here to attend the Malaysia Day celebration held Thursday.
On another note, Anifah who returned Thursday from a five-day visit to the Philippines, said Kuala Lumpur-Manila ties were moving in the right direction under the leadership of the new Phillipines president.
"This was very evident in my meetings with both the foreign minister (Alberto G. Romulo) and the president.
"Aquino's eagerness to meet Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in New York (at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next week) is another good sign, we are arranging for both leaders to have a bilateral (meeting) there," he said, adding that Aquino was expected to continue discussions on Malaysia's role as mediator and facilitator for peace negotiation between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippines government.
Anifah also said that he had reiterated the need to open a Philippines consulate office in Sabah to facilitate processing of Filipino workers here.
He said Aquino told him that this would be discussed in relation with the republic's claim on Sabah.
He (Anifah) said such discussions were long overdue but stressed that the willingness of both parties to discuss the matter was an encouraging development.
"The president was receptive. He believed we should settle outstanding issues as soon as possible so that Malaysia-Philippines ties can be further strengthened.
"He is willing to put that in the agenda and it is something that maybe they want to discuss with Najib in New York, but for him to respond positively on these issues, and for his willingness to dicuss, I think it's a good message," said Anifah. Anifah added that Najib was also expected to have bilateral meetings with several presidents and prime ministers on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting.
He said Najib was expected to highlight Malaysia's New Economic Model as the country is seen as a progressive and liberal Muslim country, as well as the 1Malaysia concept, and raise current issues on religion.
Meanwhile, asked about the situation in Indonesia, Anifah said no more anti-Malaysian demonstrations were held since Tuesday last week, and that the Indonesian government was preventing future untoward incidents.
"We must understand in Indonesia demonstrations are allowed, but peaceful demonstrations.
"We also discussed about creating a buffer zone (at Malaysia's embassy in Jakarta) so these people (protestors) will not be able to physically come into or climb the embassy's perimeter fence or security guard houses. But so far according to the reports I have received the situation has calmed down, so I don't think these measures will be necessary juts yet," he said.
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