Chinese tourist abducted in Sabah to return home today, says IGP

Chinese tourist Gao Hua Yuan, 29, who was rescued by Malaysian authorities after being abducted by seven-armed men last April, will be sent back to her country of origin today, said Inspector-General

of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said the Malaysian government was arranging for Gao's safe return to China to be with her family.

"She will be brought here (KLIA) from Sabah and then we will arrange for her to be back with her family as soon as possible, if possible today," he told reporters at the airport before leaving for London here today.

He said arrangements would also be made to send Marcy Dayawan, 40, a Filipino hotel worker who was abducted with Gao, back to her country.

Asked whether the media would be given an opportunity to interview Gao before she was to be sent home, Khalid said it would be better to not disturb her.

"I don't think she want (to be interviewed). Don't disturb her. Furthermore, she has long being under duress. Let her meet her family first," he added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tweeted last night that no ransom was paid for the release of the two women and expressed his appreciation and thanks to the security forces for securing their release.

Najib attributed the success to the cooperation between the Philippines and Malaysian security forces.

Gao, from Shanghai, and Dayawan, an employee at the Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort, were kidnapped by a group of seven armed men who burst into the resort at about 10.30pm on April 2.

The 60-room resort is located about two nautical miles from Semporna town.

There were 61 tourists at the resort then, comprising 61 Chinese nationals, an Iranian and a Malaysian.

Gao had travelled to the resort alone to attend a diving course to obtain her diving licence.