Parliament to debate Sabah kidnapping case later today

Umno MP says Sabahans worried about their safety following latest kidnapping.

KUALA LUMPUR: A motion to debate the kidnapping of four Malaysians on April 1 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat today.

Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee allowed the motion put forth by Nasrun Mansur (Umno-Silam) to debate the kidnapping, which is scheduled to begin at 4.30pm.

Earlier Nasrun pointed out that the kidnapping was not the first in Sabah’s waters and that three others had been committed since 2013.

He added that Sabahans were worried about their security and that the role played by the East Security Command Centre (Esscom) as well as Esszone, required enhancement.

He also urged the authorities to forge closer ties with the Philippines maritime authority.

On Friday night, four Malaysians, all from Sarawak, were kidnapped in a raid by armed gunmen off Pulau Ligitan, near Semporna.

The four, Wong Teck Pang, 41; Wong Hung Song, 44; Wong Teck Chi, 39; and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21 were crewmen on a Malaysian cargo ship that had transported timber from Malaysia to Manila in the Philippines.

The victims were taken away in a speed boat, while other crew on the boat, three Myanmar nationals and two Indonesians were left behind.