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We Repeat The Call For The Prime Minister To Meet Philippine President Over The Sipadan Hostage Crisis Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the Deputy Prime Minister's unhappiness with the slow pace of negotiation between the Philippine Government and the Abu Sayyaf rebels over the hostage crisis. | |||||||
| On Day 41 of the Sipadan hostage crisis, there is little progress in the negotiations between the Philippine Government and the Abu Sayyaf rebels over the release of the 21 hostages from several countries. The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is unhappy with the lack of progress. Dato' Seri Abdullah has described the progress of the negotiations as too slow and that may lead to greater difficulties. "It should gradually give rise to an outcome, but it is not giving result at all," he added. On 23 April 2000, the Philippine separatists stormed Sipadan island, the Malaysian scuba-diving resort, kidnapping 21 hostages from many countries. In the last 41 days, there have been changes in the Philippine negotiators. Some hostages such as the German woman Renate Wallert are sick. They are still held in Jolo island, southern Philippines, hole up of the rebels. What are the demands of the kidnappers? US$2 million for the early release of Renate? Setting up of a committee to investigate the problems of Filipinos in Sabah, the Malaysian territory? The slow pace of the negotiations | |
is causing more anguish. Sabah is a part of Malaysia. Our administration in the territory should include elements of humanitarianism. The abduction and detention of people from Malaysia are against humanity. The Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad blames foreign countries for painting Malaysia as unsafe because of the hostage crisis. But, this crisis has been created by Philippine separatists. We have called on the Prime Minister to meet Philippine President Joseph Estrada to discuss the ways for the release of the 21 hostages. So far, Dr Mahathir has not had any opportunity to talk to Estrada. We repeat the call for the meeting, so that both leaders can arrive at an agreement on the ways to conduct the negotiations. The historical background to hostage-taking in the southern Phillippines is extremely intricate and very difficult to understand. The rebels demand an independent Islamic state. Malaysians are concerned with the safe release of the 21 persons snatched from our resort. Those who are sick must be released early. The negotiations are going to take time.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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