| SPECIAL COMMITTEE SET UP TO TACKLE ABDUCTION
CASE KUALA LUMPUR,
April 26 (Bernama) -- A special commitee has been set up to deal with the Sipadan
abduction issue and ensure that all the 21 captives are released unharmed, said Deputy
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.
He said the committee, set up immediately after the incident, is headed by the Chief
Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali with the members comprising those from
the defence, home and foreign ministries and the prime ministry department.
Speaking to reporters ater chairing the Umno Management and Disciplinary Committee meeting
here, Abdullah said the cabinet at its meeting today had decided that the
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Norian Mai be the official spokesman on the
issue.
In the Sunday night incident, six armed gunmen abducted 21 people including 11 foreign
tourists from the Sipadan island and sped off in two boats towards the Philippine waters.
The captives comprise 10 Malaysians, three Germans, two French, two South Africans, two
Finns, a Lebanese and a Filipino.
Asked about the latest development on the incident, Abdullah said, "I have no
information on what is happening, and the cabinet which met today had decided that Tan Sri
Norian give out the update from time to time."
Abdullah, who is also Home Minister, said that as there had been many speculations and
reports about the issue, the government felt Norian was the best person to issue
statements on the matter.
Abdullah said he was confident that those assigned to deal the problem could handle it and
everything possible was being done to free the captives.
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