Sabah kidnap victim Thien Nyuk Fun freed by captors

KOTA KINABALU: Restaurant co-owner Thien Nyuk Fun who was kidnapped from Sandakan by gunmen of a militant group almost six months ago was freed by her captors late on Sunday.
It is unconfirmed if a ransom was paid for here release although talk was rife that a sum RM3 million was disbursed to the kidnappers who are linked to the Abu Sayaf militants in South Philippines.
Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said today that 50-year-old Thien was released in Jolo, off the coast of Sulu and spent six hours travelling in a speedboat to Sandakan where she was reunited with her family.
"She is in good healthy but weak, tired and emotionally drained as a result of the ordeal and journey. We will continue our efforts in securing the freedom of the other victim, Bernard Then who is still in the hands of the abductors," he said.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman in a statement said Thien's release was a result of months of negotiations and coordinated efforts by the relevant authorities at many levels.
"We are relieved with her release and I am sure the families of the victims are anxious for their return. I wish to thank all of those who made this possible. In the meantime, I urged the authorities to remain vigilant at all times and keep our borders secure from further intrusion," he said.
Thien was kidnapped at gunpoint at her eatery, the Ocean King Seafood restaurant along with Then after gunmen clad in military fatigues and black attire arrived in a speedboat on May 14.
Both victims were taken to an island in the South Philippines, a stronghold of Muslim rebels and militants where they were held captive. Their abductors demanded for huge ransoms for their release and constantly moved the victims between tiny islands off the coast to avoid detection by the authorities.
Thien and Then were reported to have suffered ill-health in captivity prompting their families to push the Malaysian government to expedite her release. Then remains a prisoner but it is learnt that his release may be just weeks away.
The east coast of Sabah is a target of South Philippines militant groups who have over the past decade carried out kidnappings of Malaysians and foreign tourists to raise funds for the acquisition of firearms and sustaining its terrorism activities.