We never bow to ransom: Indon Consul
Published on: Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Indonesian Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu, Akhmad DH Irfan, has reiterated that his government does not pay ransom to kidnappers for the release of their citizens.He said the Indonesian government condemns such act and would use other means instead to seek the freedom of their nationals. "We (the Indonesian government) will never pay. I don't know about others. But we won't," he said.
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Three Indonesian nationals were freed by their Abu Sayyaf captors in the southern Philippine province of Sulu last month.The victims, identified as Lorence Koten, 34, Teo Dorus Kopong, 42, and Emanuel, 46, were kidnapped on July 9 while fishing about 3.6 nautical miles from Kampung Sinakut, near Lahad Datu.Akhmad had reportedly said after their release that there was no monetary ransom paid to the kidnappers.He also confirmed that two more Indonesian sailors are still being held captive and a ministry in the Indonesian government has been facilitating for his release. The remaining victims have been reportedly identified as Robin Piter and M. Nasir.
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On Wednesday, an Indonesian fisherman suffered gunshot wounds after being fired upon by what reports have said to be a group of men, while he was out fishing.Commenting on the latest case involving an Indonesian national, Akhmad said such act must be condemned because it involved an innocent victim.
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"To me, it was an attempted murder. Why would anyone shoot an innocent victim? I condemn such act," he said, adding that the victim also had to have his arm amputated by doctors.He again reminded all Indonesian citizens to travel in groups to avoid being an easy target of kidnappers."Whenever I go to the ground to meet them, I would always advise them to do so for their own safety," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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