MILF

Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia have tightened international security across their borders following a rise in violence on Mindonao, a small Philippine island, threatening US-lead peace efforts in the region.

The violence is part of a continuing fallout between the majority-Christian Philippine government and a Muslim separatist group, whose truce collapsed this past August. The group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (or MILF -- I kid you not), has waged a decades-long war for autonomy and an independent Muslim state.

US led efforts at a sustainable peace seemed fruitful as plans were hatched for an independent Moro state when the Philippine government rejected the plans last August, paving the way for more MILF-led violence that has escalated since November.

The Philippine government is looking to Qatar to help with peace negotiations after Malaysia pulled out. Until then, says a resident of the island, "fear and loathing is expected to dominate life in the south, with many bracing for the worst."

Mad in Malaysia

Malaysians, led by the Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association (MMCA), are boycotting in great numbers US products for the United State's support of Israel in the Gaza conflict.  

Coca-Cola has been pulled from many grocer's shelves and more than 2,000 Muslim restaurant menus.  A spokesman for Coca-Cola said, though deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip, the boycott would do little more than hurt the local Malaysian economy.  The company employs 1,700 Maylasians, 60% of which are Malay Muslims.  

"A boycott is the best way for us to protest Zionist cruelty . . . as consumers (we) can weaken the economy of countries like Israel and its ally the U.S.," said a MMCA leader.  Good luck on that last one, guys.  

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has called for sanctions on Israel.