Zahid: Govt has asked Philippines to extradite wanted Abu Sayyaf duo

- Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government has appealed to Philippine authorities for two detained Abu Sayaf criminals to be extradited to Malaysia.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) in a parliamentary written reply on Tuesday, however, said that the Philippine government was not bound by any treaty or agreement to adhere to the appeal.

“The two believed to involved in the kidnap and murder of Malaysians in Sabah were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Upon receiving information on it, the Malaysian government had submitted an extradition appeal through diplomatic channels to extradite both criminals – Khadafi Muktadil and Saddam Jailani,” he said, adding that the appeal was submitted after the Semporna magistrate’s court issued an arrest warrant in December 2015.

Dr Ahmad Zahid added that it was now up to the Philippine government whether they would extradite the wanted criminals.

“As of now, the Philippine government has not given any official response to the extradition appeal but we will keep monitoring the situation with the aid of the Foreign Ministry,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid was responding to Sandakan MP Wong Tien Fatt who had asked why Malaysia had not to tried the two wanted criminals who were arrested by the Philippine authorities.