The Malaysian authorities have delayed the release of Nur Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), following reports that he was allegedly involved in the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping of 21 hostages in Sipadan, Malaysia last year.

But Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) lawyer Randolph Parcacio said in Manila's Radio Mindanao Network said the Malaysians have yet to gather evidence linking Misuari with the Abu Sayyaf on kidnap-for-ransom activities.

The MNLF lawyer insisted that "Misuari was not arrested but was only held by special Malaysian police," adding the Malaysian authorities had not formally filed charges of illegal entry against him.

"It was not an arrest, technically speaking because he was not arrested according to Philippine laws. He was just held because he entered Malaysia without a passport as this was cancelled by the Philippine government," Parcacio explained.

Misuari is to seek the services of Malaysian lawyers sympathetic to the Muslim cause in the Philippines, Parcacio added.

Manila's Ambassador to Malaysia, Jose Brillantes, said Misuari would not be deported because the latter was accused anew of participating in the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping, which victimised nine Malaysians, two Finnish, two French nationals, three Germans, two South Africans, one Lebanese, and two Filipinos on April 23, 2000.

The Abu Sayyaf took 20 more victims hostage, including three Malaysians, during a subsequent kidnapping spree in Indanan, Malaysia and in Jolo, southern Philippines.

The hostages who were taken from Malaysia were brought to Jolo.

Misuari will remain in Malaysia because the Philippine government has decided not to make a formal request for his repatriation, said Brillantes.