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Call on Manila To Let Malaysian Representatives Negotiate With Abu Sayyaf , The Captors Of Sipadan Hostages. Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the reported death of two Sipadan Hostages. 4 May 2000 | |||||||
| On the 12th day of the Sipadan hostage crisis, there are unconfirmed reports of two deaths out of 21 in Jolo. Meanwhile, four died, five injured and 15 freed in a rescue bid on 27 hostages by the Philippine army in Basilan Island, southern Philippines. We hope that there are negotiations as military rescue is too risky, no matter how careful the planning is. It is in the nature of hostage-taking by rebels that conflicting reports are rampant. We hope that the intelligence service can confirm them. We notice that there is a report on the Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Syed Hamid Albar going to the Philippines to request for direct negotiations between Malaysian representatives and the rebels to secure the safe release of the 21 Sipadan hostages. The four countries that have their nationals among the Sipadan hostages, France, Germany, Finland and South Africa have urged the Philippine Government to avoid taking any action detrimental to the hostages. They are naturally worried about Philippine armed forces bombing and encircling rebel strongholds. If the news about injury and death of the rescued Basilan hostages is true, it is justified to be concerned about further military action by the Philippines against the kidnappers. | |
It is understandable that on 1 May 2000 the hostages pleaded to the Philippine Government against military action that may affect them. "We are in a very serious situation. I would like to make that clear," said German hostage Werner Wallert. "We are risking our lives here and if the Philippine Government should try to march in and find a military solution, there will be blood shed, nothing else." Meanwhile, the Culture and Tourism Minister Dato' Abdul Kadir appeared on CNN TV today, putting on a brave face, saying that the hostage crisis does not affect the country's tourist industry including those who continue to go to Sipadan. We hope he is right. Indeed, Malaysia has a great deal to offer tourists including culture, seasides, mountains, national parks, scuba-diving and shopping. There is an urgent need to upgrade security in all aspects especially around the various islands that attract tourists. (For example, despite security guards and walled cameras along the Light Rail Transit, LRT, stations in KUala Lumpur, there are pick-pockets, preying on both locals and foreign tourists.) We hope the Malaysian Foreign Minister is successful in persuading the Philippines Government to concentrate on negotiations with Abu Sayyaf.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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