Bodies of 2 Malaysians killed in Algeria arrive at KLIA

The bodies of two Malaysian citizens killed in the Algerian hostage crisis at the gas facility complex in In Amenas, Algeria, arrived at the cargo complex of KL International Airport here at 8.30pm on Monday.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the bodies of Chong Chung Ngen and Tan Ping Wee were flown from Algiers with cooperation from the Malaysian Embassy and JGC Construction Pte. Ltd.

"The bodies were accompanied by Patrick Purait Awang, one of the Malaysian citizens who escaped unhurt during the incident," he said in a statement.

Anifah said his deputy Senator A. Kohilan Pillay and officers from Wisma Putra were also at the airport to receive the bodies.

He said the families of the victims had personally asked for their privacy to be respected while they coped with the difficult situation.

"In this context, the Malaysian government would like to extend its condolence again to the victims' families for the death of their loved ones," he said.

Tan from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan was reported to have worked in Algeria over the past six months, while Chong from Ipoh, Perak was a quality control inspector and had only been in the country for three months.

In the Jan 16 incident, five Malaysian citizens were among 130 Amenas Oil and Gas Production Complex (OGPS) staff of various nationals held hostage by a militant group.

The incident was believed to be in retaliation against the Algerian government for allowing French fighter jets into its airspace to quell Muslim militants in Mali.

Tan and Chong were killed, while K.Ravi, Lau Seek Chiang and Patrick Purait Awang were safe.

Lau and Ravi have returned home safely last Wednesday.