Tawau: Family members of five men taken hostage off Tambisan, Lahad Datu, on July 17, are contemplating seeking donations from Malaysians to secure the release of their loved ones. Gustiah Sultan, 46, wife of Tayudin Anjut, 45, said they at their wits end and this is the last resort to getting the five home safely. Tayudin was among the five crew who were on the Serudong 3 tugboat, pulling a barge, Serudong 4, which took off from Sandakan towards Semporna on July 17.
ADVERTISEMENT
The other four are Abd Rahim Summas, 62, Fandy Bakran, 26, Mohd Jumadil Rahim, 23, all from Tawau, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, from Jengka, Pahang.They were scheduled to reach Semporna at 5pm on Monday. They are believed to have been kidnapped in waters off Dent Heaven near Tambisan, Lahad Datu on Sunday while on the way back to Semporna after sending stones to Sandakan.
"We appeal to the police to give us permission to collect donations from Malaysians who sympathise and are willing to help. We have no money to pay the 100 million Pesos (RM8.5 million) ransom demanded by the kidnappers," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Last week, we were told over the phone that we are given only five days to pay the ransom. We are only able to tell them (husbands) to be patient because the government is doing all they can. We are poor, we do not have that amount of money. "But how long can we wait? For more than two months, there has been no news from the authorities …our husbands are suffering there and we plead for help, we are also suffering here. What can we do?," she said, in tears.
ADVERTISEMENT
She also appealed to the government and leaders to be sympathetic and to try imagine if the victim were their family member, that they would surely want them to return safely. She said action to secure their freedom needs to be taken soon before something bad happens to them. "We have also appealed to local leaders in Tawau to come help us, at least listen to our voice and to convey to the authorities. Help us, we are suffering …visit us because we are your voters. Why stay silent when our families' lives are at stake?" When asked on their source of family income, Gustiah said they are living on her husband's salaries which is not enough to cover the expenses of their children who are still young and schooling. "We are most worried about their safety and hope the government takes immediate action," she said. She questioned why the many Indonesians who were kidnapped could be released but the freedom of their family members who comprised only five people cannot be secured. Meanwhile, Hariyanti Hamsih, 31, wife to Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, said they have been distraught since receiving a photo of gunmen pointing firearms at their loved ones. "I spoke to my husband on Monday (Sept 26) and he told me of the torture and beatings they had to endure, of how they had to drink water from the drain and were only occasionally fed since being held hostage …their hands are tied during the night and forced to sleep under the rain. "He pleaded to me to meet with his employer and to get assistance to free them … we have yet to receive any assistance from anyone," she said. She said the kidnappers allowed them to speak to the victims and she was allowed to talk to her husband for between 10 minutes and 20 minutes. She is afraid of calling her husband because they are not able to come up with the amount. Apart from Gustiah and Hariyanti, family members of the five Serudong Shipping Sdn Bhd crew also attended the press conference held at Hariyanti's house in Tanjung Batu Otentik, here, Wednesday.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
They are Hasmiah Lahapi, 50, mother to Fandy Bakran, Sutini Jamalu, 50, wife to Abd Rahim Summas, and Siarah Legonk, 49, mother to Mohammad Jumadil Rahim. State Police Commissioner Datuk Abd Rashid Harun said security enforcement teams are doing their level best to secure the release of the five who are reported to be safe.