'Take national security seriously', said Then family

PETALING JAYA: “Let Bernard’s sacrifice not go in vain,” said Gerald Then, brother of slain Malaysian, Bernard Then.
The Then family urged the government to improve national security so that no other Malaysian suffers the same fate.
“I hope the authorities will take the safety and security of the nation seriously so that others would not have to suffer the way that Bernard did and no other family should have to endure the heartache we have to go through now,” Gerald said at Bernard’s funeral service at the Church of St Francis Xavier here today.
Gerald said although it was not easy to move on, faith had taught them to show mercy upon the culprits who were responsible for Bernard’s suffering.
“God will also show mercy to those behind his killing,” he added.
Some hundred people attended the funeral mass.
Those who attended Bernard’s service gathered at the entrance of the chapel to pay their respects and extend their sympathies to the family. Flowers with messages of condolences sent from various organisations, groups and members of the public were also seen in the church.
On May 15 last year,Then, 39, an engineer from Sarawak, was abducted in Sabah along with Ocean King seafood restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun.
Thien was released on Nov 8 but Then was beheaded by his captors at a remote location on Jolo Island in southern Philippines on Nov 17.
Then’s remains were cremated on Friday in Manila and his ashes brought back to Malaysia on Saturday.
His ashes will be interred at Subang Lutheran Garden, Jalan U9/39 Jingga, Subang Permai, Section 9, Shah Alam.