Zahid: Kidnapped sailors being held for ransom

Deputy premier says release of foreign crew members shows the motive of armed abductors.

WASHINGTON: The armed group who kidnapped four Malaysian sailors are believed to be after a ransom to fund terrorist activities, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“The trend is clear…of the 10 crew members on the boat, Myanmar nationals and Indonesians were released while Malaysians were captured,” said Zahid here, where he is on a week-long official visit.

The four Malaysians have been identified as Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29 and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.

“This is clear they are trying to obtain ransom. Initial investigations revealed they were suspected to be from the Philippines and were Muslims.

“I was informed by the Sabah police commissioner that several efforts were in operation to secure their safe release,” said Zahid, who is home minister.

He said there was no demand for ransom so far, but based on their modus operandi, the kidnappers would sell their victims to another group and the group would in turn, sell them to another at a higher price.

“We understand the modus operandi and we hope it will not happen like that. The most important thing is the safety of our people at their captive site.”

“We hope families and relatives of the kidnapped victims will be patient and our security forces, especially the police, will give top priority to secure their release,” said Zahid.