Bernard Then
KUCHING: The killing of 39-yearold electrical engineer Bernard Then on Tuesday by terror group Abu Sayyaf has been described as tragic.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, before addressing some 7,500 civil servants during the Public Service Day 2015 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday, requested the audience to observe a minute of silence to honour Then.
Later, when meeting the press, he said the state would reach out to the victim’s family, and Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah would visit his family to see what assistance the government could offer.
“This murder in southern Philippines is tragic.
“In the meantime, we are advising Sarawakians to be extra careful when they go to the Philippines or certain are as in Sabah,” added Adenan, when commenting on the matter.
Then was reportedly killed by gunmen at about 4pm at their stronghold in the island of Jolo in the Sulu province.
This was confirmed by Philippines Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brigadier-General Alan Arrojada.
He said the beheading was carried out in Taran, Indanan, by the Indanan-based Abu Sayyaf, led by sub-leaders Alden Bagade and Indang Susukan.
A few hours after the beheading, the military launched air strikes on Abu Sayyaf territory.
Marine and Scout Ranger units were ordered to do pursuit operations and locate the victim’s body.
The beheading came just a week after Abu Sayyaf freed Thien Nyuk Fun, the 50-year-old Ocean King Seafood Restaurant manager who was kidnapped along with Then on May 15 at the restaurant in Sandakan.
It was reported Then had suffered leg injuries while in captivity and had been slowing down his captors.
According to Jolo-based social workers, Abu Sayyaf planned to release a video of the alleged beheading Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, when commenting on the incident, said the beheading of Then was the most despicable act.
He said the Malaysian Government must seriously work together with Philippines Government to get rid of this Islamic terrorist menace from this region.
“Unless we mean business in fighting these terrorists, they will continue to use human beings as commodity of trade! The act is not political nor is it religious. It is pure and simple economics. Money is the agenda,” he said.
He stressed that Abu Sayyaf uses Islam to justify their despicable and cruel acts, and expressed his sympathy for genuine Muslims who were dragged by Abu Sayyaf cruelties in the name of fighting for religious rights in Philippines.
“I did try to assist the family when Bernard was captured. But it was, it now seemed, to no avail. My deepest condolences to Bernard Then’s family. May God bless his soul. I had dinner with Bernard’s brother on this issue in Kuala Lumpur immediately after he was captured,” he added.
Bernama earlier on quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as saying that Malaysia condemned in the strongest terms Then’s murder.
“I, the government, and all Malaysians are shocked and sickened by the murder of our countryman Bernard Then and we condemn it in its strongest terms.
We call upon authorities to take action against those who have perpetrated this savage and barbaric act and ensure that they are brought to justice,” he said in his official Facebook and Twitter account today.
Najib was also reported as saying Malaysia would extend full cooperation to relevant agencies and authorities in charge of the investigation of this incident.
“Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends,” he said.