Abductors want ransom for duo

Snatchers demand RM4mil for fishermen

KOTA KINABALU: The kidnappers who snatched two Indonesian fishermen from waters off Semporna last month are demanding a RM4mil ransom.

They had contacted the victims’ families and employer following the Sept 11 abduction, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.

The first call came on Sept 18 to one of the victim’s wife in Sulawesi, Indonesia, he said.

Then on Sept 28, a call was made to the employer in Tawau in which the kidnappers demanded for the ransom money to be paid immediately but did not give a deadline.

Samsul Sagunim, 40, and Usman Yunus, 35, were on their fishing vessel when they were abducted at about 1am on Sept 11.

Omar said they had identified the group involved in the kidnapping but were with holding information for various reasons.

Speaking at a press conference after a dialogue session with tourism players, fish breeders and boat owners in Sandakan yesterday, he reminded all industry players as well as local communities to prioritise on security in their everyday operations.

“All foreign workers need to be registered with the Immigration Department and provide personal information of these workers to police for records and to ensure the individuals are not criminals,” Omar said.

He advised industry players to equip their premises with CCTVs and Automatic Identification System on boats for better monitoring.

“Local communities, on the other hand, must continue to be the eyes and ears for the police so that we can all work together to combat crime,” he said, noting that security in the east coast specifically in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone was under control.