Adenan assures of state assistance to get Sibu hostages released

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar

KUCHING: The state will do its part to help secure the release of four Sarawakians being held hostage by militants in the Southern Philippines.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the state would liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Of course we will help to secure their release,” he said when met by reporters after launching the state Barisan Nasional manifesto yesterday.

“Of course we sympathise with the family.”

On Monday, nine family members of the victims sought donations from the public in an effort to save the four men

from Sibu — Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29; and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.

The family members also made appearances at political talks held at various locations in Sibu.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar advised political parties against using the kidnappings as fodder in their state election campaign.

He said it would not solve the problem but only make it more difficult to secure the release of the kidnap victims.

“We can understand the feelings of the family members of the victims … do not use the issue to make things difficult for us,” he said.

Khalid said the political parties should not parade the family members on stage during their campaigns but instead explain that the authorities had taken all appropriate measures to secure the release of the hostages.

He said the police had obtained positive feedback from the Philippine security authorities on Monday regarding efforts to secure the release of the four men.

The men were abducted by eight armed men in the waters of Ligitan Island in Sabah on April 1.

The four were travelling from Manila in the Philippines towards Tawau, Sabah when they were intercepted by a speedboat.

 

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