Tian Chua: M’sians will be teller machines for terror groups
PETALING JAYA: Terrorist groups from the Philippines will now look at Malaysians as “ATM machines” after RM12 million raised as ransom for the release of four Sarawakian hostages was reported to have been paid to a Filipino welfare organisation, said a PKR lawmaker.
PKR Vice-President Tian Chua said the move was shocking as “it (the kidnapping) was not a charity event but was criminal in nature.”
“The concern is it will send a signal to others in the Philippines that whenever any welfare organisation needs money, they can get it through ransom.
“The government is not handling the real issue. Instead, it is sending the wrong signal.
“Why does the government need to donate it to a neighbouring country unless it is linked to the hostages?”
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier today said the government had decided no ransom would be paid for the release of hour Malaysian hostages, kidnapped by militant group Abu Sayyaf and that the police had abided by the decision.
He said the RM12 million was given to a welfare organisation which was a legal entity operating in the Philippines. However, he declined to identify the body, explaining instead that it was a police matter.
“The RM12 million handed over to the police that was collected through donations and sale of property by the captives’ families was not ransom money.
“The families handed the sum to the Special Branch of the police and I can confirm that it was channelled to a certain organisation in the Philippines for a sanctioned cause,” Ahmad Zahid was quoted by Bernama as saying today.
The Batu MP however said that from now on, Philippine organisations would look at Malaysians as automated teller machines to obtain cash whenever needed.
“Whenever they need some form of welfare, they will capture a Malaysian. They know our lives are now worth millions.”
He pointed out that it was good to have the four hostages released alive as no amount of money could replace a life but said the government should not have given the money to the Philippines.
“It is still a form of extortion. It is still ransom,” Tian Chua alleged.
He said today’s statement clearly contradicted Zahid’s earlier statements that the government did not recognise kidnap-for-ransom activities.
He said the government had not handled the issue well as giving a donation was not the answer.
Meanwhile, Penampang MP Darrell Leiking also shared similar sentiments and urged Zahid to reveal the names of the organisations that received the money.
“He should reveal it. If he knew it was going to a charitable organisation, then go into the details. It is not a small figure.”
The PKR vice-president also said the recently elected Philippine President Rodrigo R Duterte had previously vowed to pursue the country’s claim over Sabah and even threatened to breach Malaysian borders.
“These people would then think that the land in Sabah belongs to them and they can come in and treat us like commodities.”
Darrell also said the ransom shouldn’t even have been paid in the first place.
“While I sympathise with the families, the position our government should have taken is to never negotiate with any kidnapper because this will just encourage them to carry out more abductions.
“We must match force with force because these kidnappers are making a mockery of our security.
“It is time for us to have more guts. These people are pure criminals.”
An uncle to one of the freed hostages had revealed yesterday that RM12 million was raised as ransom for the release of the four men and given to the police on May 24.
Brothers Wong Teck Kang, 31; and Teck Chii, 29; their cousins Lau Jung Hien; and Wong Hung Sing, 34; were kidnapped from a commercial barge, MV Massive 6, in the waters off Pulau Ligitan on April 1 while returning to Tawau, Sabah, after sending a cargo of wood to Manila.
On the morning of June 8, seven armed men, who could speak Malay and English, took the four hostages by boat back to Sabah and reached a jetty in Sandakan by 6am. They then told the four that they need not worry as they were safe now.
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