Police never handled any part of ransom money, IGP stresses

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar

NO RANSOM was paid by police to the kidnappers of the four Malaysian hostages held by Abu Sayyaf militants, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said during a press conference in Putrajaya today (June 17).

Instead, the money was handled by an unnamed ‘third party’ that volunteered their services to the family members of the hostages to help secure their release, he explained.

“We (the police) did not receive any part of the ransom money that was raised to free the hostages. It was instead the work of a third party, who had offered their help to the families of the hostages,” Khalid told reporters.

“It is untrue that the police received the money.

“I would even say that this third party actually only complicated police negotiations to free the hostages,” he added.

Families of the four freed hostages raised RM12 million through the mortgage of two houses, the affected shipping company, and members of the public to seek their release from Abu Sayyaf gunmen.

 

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