| MALAYSIA WILL ENSURE ALL THOSE ABDUCTED ARE
SAFE KUALA
LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has assured countries concerned that it will take
all measures to ensure the safety of their citizens, who are among the 21 people abducted
by armed men from Sipadan Island last Sunday.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said he gave the government's assurance to
from South African representative and ambassadors from Finland, France, Germany and
Lebanon in a meeting at his office Wednesday.
"We assure them that the Malaysian government will take whatever measures to ensure
their safety and will take action to free them from their abductors," he told
reporters after launching the magazine South Review at a hotel, here.
Syed Hamid said he also updated them on action taken by Malaysia to ensure the safety of
the captives.
"We are doing everything to find out where they are and to know the real
situation," he said.
In the incident, the abductors took them away in two boats which sped off towards the
Philippines.
The victims comprise 10 Malaysians, three Germans, two French, two South Africans, two
Finns, a Lebanese and a Filipino.
Sipadan, one of the popular diving spots in the world, is only about 45 minute boat ride
from Southern Philippines.
Syed Hamid also said that based on information received by Wisma Putra, the armed men
reportedly had contacted a radio station in the Philippines and claimed that the abduction
was carried out by the Abu Sayyaf group.
Abu Sayyaf is one of two Muslim groups fighting for an Islamic state in the south of
Philippines.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia was getting close cooperation from the Philippines in the matter.
Wisma Putra has also set up a 24-hour operation room until the problem is resolved.
He also said the government had decided to continue to open Sipadan and Ligitan to
tourists as both islands are safe.
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