| Malaysia denies
asking help of Le Peng Wee QUEZON CITY, (ABS-CBN) - The Malaysian government has vehemently
denied reports it asked Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Lee Peng Wee to help in
negotiations for the release of three Malaysians abducted by the extremist Abu Sayyaf
group.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Malaysian Ambassador M.H.
Arshad stressed they have not asked the assistance of any Filipino for the release of
Malaysians Joseph Dioquino, Kim Wee Chiong and Mohammad Nur Solaiman. The three were
snatched by the bandits in Pandanan, Malaysia last month.
Malaysian emissaries reportedly sought an audience with
Presidential adviser Le Peng Wee on Monday and asked him to negotiate for the release of
the hostages still being held by the Abu Sayyaf.
Senator Dahuk Sairin Karno and Yusuf Hamdan talked to Wee and
tried to convince him to facilitate the negotiations, as he did months before to secure
the freedom of Malaysian hostages included in the batch of foreign captives taken from a
Malaysian diving resort last April.
Le Peng Wee for his part expressed his willingness to mediate
but said he has to secure the Philippine government's prior approval before any
negotiation will start.
Still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf led by Galib Andang alias
Kumander Robot are the three Malaysians and a Filipino, Rolando Ullah. Another
hostage, American Jeffrey Schilling is with the group led by Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu
Sabaya.
The abduction of the three Malaysians prompted President
Joseph Estrada to order an all-out military assault against the extremist group last
September 16.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen.
Angelo Reyes has set December as the completion date for the military to totally clear
Sulu of the Abu Sayyaf group.
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