Ransom demand cut by half
Published on: Thursday, August 06, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Negotiations are continuing with gunmen holding kidnap victims Thien Nyuk Fun and Bernard Then Ted Fen with the close to RM60 million ransom demanded reduced by more than 50 per cent. State Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said there has been communication and constant monitoring, adding that every communication is also known to the police. "Right now, negotiations are being done, especially to get the kidnappers to be considerate towards the duo who are not capable of fulfilling the ransom demanded," he told a media conference after attending the Hari Raya Open House celebration hosted by the State police headquarters in Kepayan, here, Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT "Other quarters are also not capable of paying the ransom demanded which is almost RM30 million for each hostage," he said, adding that several negotiations have reduced the demand by more than 50 per cent. "We are still negotiating for them not to use the hostages to obtain such amount, they should be humane. In fact, it is not fair to take a hostage and force them to entertain the ransom demanded," he said. State police had in May confirmed that the gunmen have demanded a 'large' ransom to secure the release of the 50-year-old restaurant co-owner Thien, from Sandakan, and 39-year-old patron, Bernard, from Sarawak who works as a Mechanical and Electronic Consultant based in Cambodia.The duo were taken by the gunmen who stormed into the Ocean Seafood Restaurant located just a 20-minute drive from Sandakan town at about 7.26pm on May 14.ADVERTISEMENT The gunmen were also reported to have demanded a certain amount of money to buy medicine for Thien who has diabetes as well as money to buy food for the two kidnap victims. In the latest development, Jalaluddin did not elaborate further except to say that medication has been arranged.
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"We are working with our counterparts in the Philippines on reaching the best solution in addressing this issue," he said, adding that the two captives are believed to be held in the interior parts of the Southern Philippines. The kidnapping – the first to be staged on the mainland – happened in less than one hour into the just extended dusk-to-dawn curfew enforced off the waters of 10 districts since July last year to restore peace and order after a spate of kidnappings at resorts and islands. The curfew order has since been reviewed and enforced off the waters of six districts, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.On another note, he said the Hari Raya Open House celebration was aimed at enhancing ties not only among police force but also with leaders and the people. A total of 16 stalls offering Raya delicacies and beverages were opened to visitors who came to support the event. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Also present were the guest-of-honour Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah Tan Sri RM Jasni along with Cabinet leaders. Caption: Children receiving Raya money from Tun Juhar (third from right) and Toh Puan Norlidah (second from right). Also seen is Jalaluddin (fourth from right) and his spouse (right).