Negotiations to free kidnapped Malaysians ongoing - Deputy IGP

Negotiations to free four Malaysians who were kidnapped by a group of armed men in the waters of Ligitan, near Semporna on April 1, is still ongoing.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the Malaysian government and Royal Malaysian Police, are in negotiations with the Philippines government and authorities and hope to free the victims.

"Negotiations to free the kidnap victims are still being continued and the Philippine government and authorities are giving us good cooperation," he said when met by reporters at a shooting competition organised by the Sabah Police Headquarters in conjunction with the 209th Police Day here, today.

The event, which was also attended by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Harun, was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Commenting further, Noor Rashid said all the four kidnapped victims were in good condition.

Asked whether the families of the victims would be taken to the Philippines, he said there was no plan yet to do so until the negotiations were concluded.

"Let the authorities concerned and the government, and their side (the Philippines) carry out the negotiations first," he said.

In the incident at 6.15pm on April 1, four Malaysians, aged 21 to 34 years, were among nine crew of a who were held up by the armed men while returning to Malaysia from the Philippines.

The four kidnapped victims are Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Siong, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.

They were kidnapped by eight armed men who intercepted the tug boat in the waters of Ligitan, near Semporna. The Indonesian and Myanmar crew were freed.