Probe paper on cross-border kidnap referred to AGC – IGP
The investigation paper on the (kidnap) case has been referred to the AG’s Chambers. We are taking every necessary measure to safeguard the Serian-Kalimantan border.
KUCHING: The Royal Malaysia Police ( PDRM) have referred the investigation paper on last month’s cross-border kidnapping of five locals by Indonesian soldiers in Serian, to the Attorney General’s Chambers ( AGC) for further action.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said they are currently awaiting a directive from the deputy public prosecutor on the matter, and have taken measures to ensure a similar incident does not recur.
“The investigation paper on the ( kidnap) case has been referred to the A- G Chambers. We are taking every necessary measure to safeguard the Serian-Kalimantan border.
“It is not just the PDRM but the army are also doing their part. We hope that it won’t happen again,” he told a press conference after attending the Jasa Pahlawan Negara ( JPN) medal award ceremony here yesterday.
The kidnapping took place on Dec 11 last year when five Sarawakians were reportedly held at gunpoint, bundled into a vehicle, roughed up and held overnight for
Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, Inspector-General of Police
ransom – allegedly by members of the Indonesian army who had encroached into Malaysian territory over a week earlier.
The hostages, aged between 15 and 64, were approached by two men in battle fatigues while harvesting wood at the Wong Rangkai forest near Kampung Danau Melikin, 400km from the Serian-Kalimantan border.
The two foreigners was reportedly armed with 5.56mm Pindad SS-1 assault rifles – the standard primary weapon of Tentera Nasional Indonesia (TNI).
The hostages were taken to an Indonesian military command post where they were forced to admit to stealing wood from the Indonesian side of the border.
Two of them were released later that day to deliver the kidnappers’ demands for ransom.
They were told to inform families of the hostages to hand over RM10,000 and two new chainsaws, and also warned not to tip off the authorities – or the remaining three would be executed.
However, the two headed straight to a Malaysian army camp in Balai Ringin, which initiated a negotiation process that led to the release of the remaining hostages the next day.
On the same day, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu was reported to have said that the incident would not affect military relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said the two countries had built strong bilateral relationship in all areas especially defence and that any problems would be discussed at the negotiating table.