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		The Malaysian Government Should Present A Full Report On The Sipadan Hostage Crisis Comment by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the 91st Day of the Sipadan Hostage Crisis on 24 July 2000.
		Day 91 Sipadan Hostage Crisis: apparently six Malaysians, one Philipino and one German have been released. There are 13 more. The complex historical, political and socio-economic background to the kidnapping boggles the mind. We expect all hostages to be released soon. Then, the Government would need to inform the people what actually happen before and after the hostages have been taken to Jolo, southern Philippines. Various events such as the photographs of the Malaysian Chief Justice holidaying with a defence lawyer in New Zealand in 1994 and the July 2 Grik Arms Heist and Al-Ma'unah have overshadowed the Sipadan hostage crisis. Nevertheless, this crisis will unveil disturbing matters like the chink in the Malaysian sea patrol. Since 23 April 2000, Malaysians are in the dark about the true nature of the crisis. The southern Philippines quagmire defies imagination. The separatist groups of Moro National Liberation Front, MNLF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, MILF, and Abu Sayyaf or Al Haraka Al Islamiyya have been trying to seek attention. Abu Sayyap is led by Galib Andang, Mujib Susukan, Radullan Sahirun and Nadzmi Saadullah.				They have abducted 21 hostages from Malaysian soil to attract international attention. They hope to use the kidnapping to bargain with the Philippine Government for their political objectives which include a separate Islamic state. We are concerned about the security in Sipadan, Sabah and Malaysian waters. This includes the effectiveness of our sea patrol. Malaysia and the Phillippines have a bilateral agreement to develop Sabah and southern Philippines. Hitherto, many factors such as the volatility of southern Philippines have impeded development. Who would like to invest in a volatile region? Whatever parts played by the Philippine Chief Negotiator Robert Aventajado and others such as former Libyan Ambassador to the Philippines Abdul Razab Azzarouq and Farouq Hussein, President Estrada's economic advisor to Mindanao Wee Peng Lee and Sulu Province Governor AnduSakur Tan should be clearer after the crisis. Do they have the answers to the woes in southern Philippines. The Sipadan hostage crisis has dragged on for three months. It may take even longer. However, we may take even longer to realize its implications. Dr Tan Seng Giaw



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