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Please Step Up The Joint Efforts Of The Malaysian And Phlippine Search And Rescue Teams To Secure The Release Of Sipadan Hostages
Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the report of 21 hostages being held at Jolo island, south Philippines. 27 April 2000

 
More reports of sighting of 21 Sipadan hostages including a ransom demand of RM10 million fill up pages in the media. Apparently, Mindanao Governor Nur Mesuari was quoted as saying that hostages were seen at Jolo island, Mindanao, Southern Philippines.

Another report says that the Abu Sayyaf rebels are demanding RM10 million ransom for the release of the 21 hostages. The intelligence service must identify and confirm these reports.

The Foreign Minister Dato' Syed Hamid Albar reiterated the Government's determination to get the safe release of these hostages. We need all the efforts and coordination from Malaysian and Philippine teams to achieve the objective as soon as possible.

Hitherto, the Government has detained 10 people in Sipadan to help with the investigations into the abduction. It is very rare for foreign terrorists to strike Malaysian soil. This makes us hark back to the 1970s when the Japanese Red Army held hostages at the then American Embassy at the AIA Building

along the Ampang Road, Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian naval vessels are patrolling the waters off Sipadan, 32 Km from the staging point, Semporna, Sabah, and plainclothes policemen are everywhere. They observe foreign vessels strictly. Could there have been some sorts of effective patrolling and surveillance before the infringement?

There are hundreds of islands between Southern Philippines and Sabah with various degree of navigational difficulties. The media are highlighting the geography of the possible areas in which hostages are detained.

The Philippine Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado said:"We are in suspended animation and we are waiting for the kidnappers to emerge and (make) demands whether political or financial."

In the era of globalisation, it is poignant that terrorism is also more globalised. Can our patrol and surveillance be more globalised?

Cooperation among nations especially neighbours is even more important. We require more ASEAN spirit.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

 

 
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