DPM THANKS
PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR RELEASE OF SECOND MALAYSIANSHAH ALAM, July
15 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Saturday thanked
all parties responsible for the release of the second Malaysian held in Jolo, South
Philippines, by the armed group which abducted 21 people in Sipadan almost three months
ago.
"We are very happy that another of our people has been freed and hope that the others
also will be freed soon, as we have waited a long time...their families also have been
waiting a long time," he said.
Responding to a suggestion that the release is linked to Islam, Abdullah said that such
things should not be given too much thought. "For whatever reason they wish to
release the hostage, let them release him because we want all of them to be released...it
doesn't matter who they are," he told reporters after flagging off participatnts of
the "Franchise Hunt", at the parking lot of the Bukit Melawati Stadium, here.
Policeman Abdul Jawah Selawat, 39, was freed yesterday, leaving seven other Malaysians
still held captive by the armed group which abducted the 21 people on April 23. The 12
others are three Germans, two French nationals, two Finns, two South Africans, two
Filipinos and a Lebanese.
Abdullah said that the government had always hoped that the process of the release of the
hostages would proceed expeditiously.
"We have always said that we want it (done) speedily but for us to make accusations
(on the delay), I feel is not appropriate," he said in responding to another
suggestion that the process was slow.
Meanwhile, referred to a Board of Inquiry and a special Board of Inquiry set up by the
Defence Ministry to investigate the Gerik arms heist on July 2, Abdullah said that the
probe would be conducted objectively and was not a "cover-up".
He was asked to comment on the setting up of the panels of inquiry comprising of military
personnel.
"The armed forces also want the matter to be investigated, so that where there are
weaknesses, they will have to be overcome...for their own good also. There should not be
any assumptions...it's not an effort to cover up any parties," he said.
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