Nur Jazlan: Kidnapped Malaysian duo safe

Relatives of the kidnap victims with photos of their loved ones.

SEMPORNA: The two Malaysians kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels are still safe, says Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamad.

"Efforts to free both kidnap victims are being carried out and what is important is that they are still safe," said the Deputy Home Minister.

He was asked to comment on the fate of Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, and Bernard Then Ted Fen, 39, the two victims kidnapped from the seaside Ocean King seafood restaurant near Sandakan on May 14.

Nur Jazlan also said that the authorities were not giving up on securing their release.

"We are working using all our networks, including cooperating with the Philippine authorities to free them, and I hope their families keep their faith in all the efforts that are being done," he said.

In a press release issued on Sunday night, Nur Jazlan urged those living in areas patrolled by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to be more alert when it came to looking out for any threats, especially kidnappings.

"They have to be reported immediately to Esscom," said Nur Jazlan after visiting control posts at Pulau Timbun Mata, Mantabuan, Mataking, Mabul dan Sipadan.

He added that the communities living in areas protected by Esscom have to be loyal to Sabah and Malaysia and not be accomplices to kidnappers from the southern Philippines.

Nur Jazlan said that even though some of them had family ties with families living in the southern Philippines, that could not be an excuse for working as accomplices to kidnappers.