EX-HOSTAGE EAGER TO JOIN MMEA
Ridzuan submitted his medical report to the maritime agency on Tuesday
MOHD Ridzuan Ismail is a step closer to securing a job that may take him to the east coast of Sabah, where he was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf militant group last year.
Ridzuan, 33, who was held hostage for over eight months in southern Philippines, submitted his medical report to complete his application to join the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday.
The father of three said his two other sailor friends — Fandy Bakran, 27, and Mohd Jumadil Rahin, 24, — also received similar instructions from MMEA and they have completed all the necessary procedures.
“After months of praying and waiting patiently, some good news (medical check-up) has finally arrived and we hope everything will go smoothly.
“I began job hunting after Hari Raya when the much-anticipated telephone call came from MMEA.
“Fandy and Jumadil have also submitted their medical reports and I hope the three of us will receive some good news soon,” he said yesterday.
The eldest of seven siblings, Ridzuan said he was also prepared to return and be stationed in Sabah if the job required him to do so. He could speak the local dialects and had knowledge about the local culture after spending several years working as a sailor in Tawau, Sabah.
Ridzuan, along with Fandy and Jumadil, was among five Malaysians reported missing after their tugboat was found abandoned in Dent Haven, off Lahad Datu, on July 18 last year.
They were rescued by Philippine security forces on March 23 after Abu Sayyaf members abandoned them.
Ridzuan said the support of his family and siblings, who have been regularly visiting him at his younger brother Mohd Raisuddin’s house in Jengka 7, had helped him recover from his ordeal.
“Support from family and friends has helped me to overcome the dark memories and I am now mentally and physically prepared to return to work.
“It has been a long break and recovery session for me. I get restless staying at home nowadays,” he said, bursting into laughter.
Ridzuan said although his siblings and friends told him to remain in Jengka 7 to take care of his late parents’ oil palm plantation, he said opportunity would not knock twice, especially when securing one’s dream job.