PM's wife appeals for release of kidnapped constable Zakia Aleip

The prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today appealed for the release of constable Zakia Aleip, 26, who was kidnapped by a group of armed from a resort in Pulau Mabul last Saturday, so that he could return to his family.

"As a wife and mother, I understand the feelings of Zakia's wife. I appeal to the kidnappers to remember that the police constable has a wife and child.

"Just don't think of satisfying yourself that you're prepared to resort to kidnapping," she said at the handing-out of contributions to the next of kin of the Lahad Datu heroes and crew of flight MH370, and injured members of the Malaysian security forces, here, today.

The contributions amounting to RM290,000 came from the Umno welfare bureau and Bakti (Charity and Welfare Body of the Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers).

Rosmah, who is the president of Bakti, also urged Zakia's wife and all Malaysians to pray for Zakia's safe return to enable him to celebrate the upcoming Aidilfitri with his family.

Marine police corporal Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32, was killed and Zakia abducted during the ambush by a group of armed men at the Mabul Water Bungalow Resort, Pulau Mabul in Semporna, Sabah last Saturday.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that Zakia had contacted his wife Sharifah Erna Berson last Sunday night and informed her that he was with some people.

Meanwhile, Umno welfare bureau chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the recipients each received RM5,000 to RM 20,000, while the widow of the policeman killed in the ambush in Pulau Mabul and another two widows of soldiers killed in the overturned armoured vehicle incident in Kuala Kangsar, Perak each received RM20,000.

On the impromptu meeting of the next of kin of MH370 crew with Rosmah and him after today's aid presentation, Azeez said they asked for two things, one of which was for the financial assistance given to them not be announced for security reason.

The other request, he said, was for all films on the missing MH370 incident not be screened as it touched their sensitivities because the truth about the missing airliner was still not known.

Azeez also said that the bureau had formed a sub-committee to assist the MH370 crew's next of kin in terms of legal aid, welfare and their children's education.

"The committee is also assisting the families of the heroes in the Lahad Datu incident although the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police continue to help them. But our focus is more on the next of kin of the MH370 crew," he added.