| MALAYSIA
WILLING TO DEAL DIRECT WITH KIDNAPPERS MANILA, May 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is willing to deal direct with the
armed group which kidnapped 21 people from Sipadan Island off Sabah about a fortnight ago,
Prime Minister's special envoy Datuk Pandikar Amin Mulia said Wednesday.
He would convey this to the Philippine government during a meeting with President Joseph
Estrada scheduled here later today to discuss efforts to secure the release of the
captives, including 10 Malaysians.
"Malaysia is prepared to extend whatever assistance to resolve the issue, including
dealing direct with the abductors, besides cooperating in whatever form necessary,"
he said.
Pandikar Amin, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, told Malaysian
journalists accompanying him here for the mission, that he would also convey to Estrada
Malaysia's concern over the well-being of the captives, health-wise and in terms of food
and clothings.
Six men armed with AK-47 rifles and a rocket launcher abducted holidaymakers and local
workers from a resort on Sipadan on April 23 and Abu Sayyaf separatist guerrillas in
southern Philippines have claimed responsibility.
Television footages showed the captives, who are being held on Jolo Island, looking
unwell, not well-fed and in dire need of fresh clothings.
Pandikar Amin is also scheduled to meet Philippine Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado and
Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon today.
"We'll also gather from the Philippine government itself the latest on efforts to
free the captives, more so given reports that some captives have died. We're unsure
whether they actually died," he said.
Pandikar Amin, who is accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Mohamed Shafie Apdal,
arrived here yesterday evening to secure speedy release of the captives.
The Malaysian delegation leaves for Zamboanga City tomorrow for a meeting with Muslim
Mindanao Autonomous Region governor Nur Misuari.
While there Pandikar Amin is also scheduled to hand over Malaysian medical supplies to the
captives.
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