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Malaysian Government Must help To Get A Safe Relase Of The 12 Remaining Sipadan Hostages In Jolo, Southern Philippines Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the relase of the last three Malaysian hostages. 21 August 2000 | |||||||
| Day 120 Sipadan hostage crisis: the last three Malaysians have been released, leaving 12 others. We are happy for the nine released so far. The Malaysian Government must help to get the release of the rest. After all, they were kidnapped from Malaysian soil. We also hope that the 15 Filipinos will be released. Apparently the Government has been supplying food and medicines through agencies such as the Red Crescent society. It may want to confirm this. It is a harrowing experience to be hostaged in a strange surrounding by rebels with various motives. These rebels fear the Philippine Government troop storming their hideout. Jolo means horror to these captives, their families and friends. Since the captives were taken from Sipadan to southern Philippines, their respective governments have been eager to secure their release. But, they have been caught up with the intricate political, economic, social, religious and historical factors | |
of southern Philippines. The majority of Christian Filipinos and the minority Muslim Filipinos will have to find a solution to their conflicts. The rebels want an independent Islamic state. They resort to kidnapping, including taking hostages from Malaysia. The Philippines Government is suspicious of Malaysia. But, Malaysia maintains that it does not interfere with internal affairs of other countries especially neighbours. The two countries have a joint development plan. Sipadan is Malaysian soil. There are many Filipinos in Sabah. Despite the Government assurance to beef up the security of Sipadan, we are still wondering about the costal defence and meritime surveillance of Malaysia. With the long shorelines, is the patrol good enough? While the people are waiting for a full disclosure of what actually happened on 23 April 2000, we hope the Government steps up its efforts to help get the release of the remaining hostages.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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