Malaysia Negotiating For Kidnapped Sabah Constable’s Safe Return

TUARAN: Malaysia is negotiating with the kidnappers of marine police constable Zakia Aliep in a bid to secure his release without paying any ransom.

Zakia was abducted from a resort at Pulau Mabul, Semporna, by a group of armed men on July 12.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Senior DCP Datuk Muhammad Fuad Abu Zarim said that earlier negotiations had ended in a stalemate.

He said the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of between RM3 million and RM10 million.

“We know Constable Zakia is well and safe in the interior of the southern Philippines near our border (Sabah), from what transpired between him and his wife over the telephone.

“We believe we can still negotiate according to our means. Now they are demanding 40 million pesos … they keep raising or lowering it. They have given 10 days but we have asked to defer.

“What we are trying to achieve is an immediate release without any ransom,” he told reporters today.

Muhammad Fuad visited Zakia’s parents, Aliep Sadu, 54, and Juna Gumbur, 54, and wife Sharifah Erna Berson, 22, and seven-month-old son Muhd Hisyam Izzuddin in Kampung Tinuhan, here.

He said police were working closely with the Philippine authorities in the negotiations.

Zakia, 27, had contacted his family 82 times since his abduction, he said.

“His wife cannot pinpoint his whereabouts as he could not reveal the location. He only told her that they would move from place to place in the interior, presumably in the jungle,” he said.

He said the police were making every effort to ensure Zakia’s safe return.

“We want him to be released safely and that’s why we need three months. The situation is under control … we know he is okay as he is not being ill-treated,” he said.

Meanwhile, cage-fish breeder Chan Sai Chiun, who was kidnapped at Kampung Sapang Air, Kunak, on June 16, is also believed to be safe but at a different location.

“We are still in negotiation and our focus is the same, to gain his release without any ransom, although it would take time,” said Muhammad Fuad.

Accompanying Muhammad Fuad on the visit were his wife Datin Normah Mohd Shah, who presented some cash and basic necessities, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman and Marine Police Commander Datuk Abd Aziz Yusoff.

Zakia’s mother, Juna, lamented to reporters when approached, that she was pining for her son, the third of six children, and hoped that he would return to the family soon.

Aliep echoed his wife’s sentiments, while Zakia’s wife said the few minutes of conversations that she had had with her husband were unbearably sad, particularly when their son started crying, and Zakia would be emotionally shaken upon hearing his son cry. - Bernama