Government expresses relief over hostages safe return

The government expressed its relief over the safe return of two Malaysians held hostage at the Amenas Oil and Gas Production Complex (OGPC) in East Algeria on Jan 16.

In a statement through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the government said both the hostages, K.Ravi and Lau Seek Chiang, arrived at 2.55 pm at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and were welcomed by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Richard Riot and several officials from the ministry.

The men's families have appealed for privacy and space in order for them to recover from their traumatic experience, said the statement.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Embassy in Algiers confirmed yesterday that Malaysian Chong Chung Ngen, who was reported missing, has been killed in the incident.

Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said yesterday that the Ministry has sent a senior diplomat to assist the Embassy over there step up efforts to trace another Malaysian, Tan Ping Wee, who was still missing.

In the incident which took place last week, a militant group held 130 Amenas OGPC staff from various countries, including five Malaysians.

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