No ransom paid for Thien's release - Ahmad Zahid

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said no ransom was paid for the release of kidnap victim Thien Nyuk Fun by her captors in South Philippines.

She was released following negotiations between the Malaysian authorities and her captors, he added.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the close collaboration between the Malaysian and Philippine authorities also led to her release.

"The kidnap of one victim is settled, but we have another victim who has not been released. Negotiations will continue to be carried out to secure his release.

"We believe if the captors are generous to not impose strict conditions, then the other victim will be released soon," he said when asked to comment on Thien's release by her captors last Monday.

Ahmad Zahid, who is on a four-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK), was met at a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora here. Almost 200 Malaysian students in the UK attended the dinner.

Thien, 50, who is the manager of Ocean King Restaurant in Sandakan, was among two people kidnapped at the eatery last May. The other, a customer at the restaurant, Bernard Then Ted Fen, 39, from Sarawak, has yet to be released.