Kota Kinabalu: State Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said negotiations are underway with their Philippine counterparts to secure the release of Malaysian Constable Zakiah Aliep, who was abducted by eight gunmen in Pulau Mabul last week. "Negotiation is being done and yes, there was a call to our officer and the wife as well as a family member of the abducted personnel.On July 12, 32-year-old Corporal Ab Rajah Jamuan was shot dead while 26-year-old Zakiah was abducted by the gunmen who ambushed the Smart Water Bungalow Resort jetty in Mabul.Jalaluddin said he cannot reveal the negotiation process nor can he promise that Zakiah will be released before Hari Raya.
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'What is important is that the victim is safe and that we are doing our level-best to secure his release," he said. On another note, he said the situation is under control in Mabul and the six districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone where the 12-hour curfew is imposed.
"Perhaps there are one or two people who will claim that the price of fish will increase, but for me that is not an issue, in fact even those in the villages support the curfew.
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"If they want to go deep sea fishing during the curfew then we can facilitate and issue permit, we have conducted campaigns and held dialogues with fishermen to explain," he said.
