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Call On The Prime Minister To Direct His Attention To Securing Relase For The 21 Sipadan Hostages Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the urgency to obtain a release of the Sipadan hostages after the Prime Minister has paid so much attention to the UMNO general assembly from11 to 13 may 2000. 14 May 2000 | |||||||
| On Day 22 of the Sipadan Hostage Crisis, the 21 hostages have not been released. The nature of hostage-taking by rebels means tedious negatiations from time immemorial. The Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahahtir Mohamad had diverted his attention to coping with the 54th UMNO general assembly from 11 to 13 May 2000, using his consummate skill of frankness, cajoling and arm-twisting to overcome obstacles. Although the Prime Minister has to have a different type of skill to deal with rebels who are bent on getting their ways, we believe that he must redirect his attention to the Sipadan hostage crisis. These hostages from Malaysia, the Philippines, Germany, France, South Africa, Finland and Lebanon have been taken from Sipadan island, the Malaysian tourist resort. It is our responsibility to get them back as soon as possible. We are waiting for the truth: are there negotiations between the Philippine Government and the hostage-taking Abu Sayyaf? What are the demands? Will the two sick persons be released at once? What are the chances of a safe return for the 21 people? The Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Norian Mai, who is representing the Government, can only wait and see. He has said precious little on what he has gleaned about the crisis after his visit to the Philippines. | |
The mass media report that the hostage-taking rebels, Abu Sayyaf, have re-established contact with one of the negotiators Abdul Rajab Azzarouq, a former Libyan ambassador. Robert Aventajado, an advisor to the Philippine President, Joseph Estrada, has ordered the military to pull back further from where the hostages are held in Jolo island, southern Philippines. One report says that the Abu Sayyaf would not release the two sick hostages, Renate Wallert, a German with hypertension, and Stephane Loisy, a French with a urinary tract infection. The rebels would llike the Philippine army to stop attacking them , naming a team of negotiators with whom they would like to talk. Hostages have sent letters to reporters. Since they are personal, they have not been read in media conferences. The Associated Press quoted Philippine military officials as saying that the troops had been withdrawn at least seven kilometres from the Abu Sayyaf and warned that the rebels could now escape. As with virtually all kidnappings by separatists, there are doubts on the veracity of the reports of the happenings. Journalists will continue to file what they manage to hear and see. Apparently, some are said to have been detained briefly by the rebels. Journalism can be a very risky profession.
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