Family accepts death of Abu Sayyaf kidnap victim, saying it is his fate

SANDAKAN: The family of Jari Abdullah, 34, who was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists has come to terms with his demise after he was shot by the militant group in Pulau Simusa, southern Philippines on April 4.

“We are sad but what can we do. This is his fate. We accept his passing,” said the victim’s mother, Zuana Laudiato, 54, when met by reporters after the arrival of Jari’s body here yesterday.

Zuana who was accompanied by a representative of the Malaysia ForeignMinistry in thePhilippines since April 5, said upon arriving at the private hospital in Zamboanga, Philippines she decided to remove life support for her son after seeing his condition.

“He has gone. Only breathing through life support machine,” she said.

Zuana said the family would take care of her son’s widow, Nadin Junianti Najiri, 25 who is an Indonesian and schooling for the late fisherman’s three children aged 1, 5 and 7 years old.

“I am fi nally at ease after being able to see my husband’s body for the last time,” said Nadin Junianti.

Jari was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Sim- Sim here about 9.30am after prayers at the village surau.

Present was the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah, Ariffi n Asgali.

Ariffin said the government will look into the needs of the victim and will extend assistance to lighten the burden of the victim’s family.

The body arrived at Sandakan Airport about 7.50 am on board a Malaysia Airlines flight.

The victim was kidnapped with two other fishermen — Heri Ardiansyah, 19 and Hariadin, 45, both Indonesians in the waters of Pegasus Reef in Kinabatangan on Dec 6.

On April 4, Jari was shot by members of Abu Sayyaf while fleeing in a gun battle between the cross- border criminals and Philippines armed forces at Pulau Simusa in Sulu.

The next day, in another shootout at sea, Hariadin was reported dead while Heri was rescued. — Bernama