Women groups condemn Then’s killing

0
Fatimah (third left) speaking at the press conference.

Fatimah (third left) speaking at the press conference.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development and all women in the state are united in their sorrow at the news of the alleged killing of fellow Sarawakian Bernard Then by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said they condemned in the strongest term such heinous act of terrorism against a fellow citizen.

“Today (yesterday), in our joint statement through the ministry, we, women representing associations and various
ethnic groups, are united in our sorrow at the alleged killing of Bernard Then, who was kidnapped from a seafood restaurant in Sandakan in May.

“We condemn in the strongest term such heinous act of terrorism against our citizen, Bernard Then, a Sarawakian,” she told a press conference at her office in Masja Building yesterday.

She said this was the act of an extremist, terrorist group, and that they were of the opinion that such act of extremism was not only inhumane, it was also against any religious teachings of any known religion.

She said no religion condones such acts of terrorism even if it was done in the name of religion.

“We offer our sincere condolence to the family of the deceased, his wife, children, parents … as they go through these very difficult times, and we pray that they will find strength and comfort.

“The state government, through the ministry, is prepared to provide assistance in the form of counselling to the family of the victim. We urge our fellow Sarawakians and Malaysians to keep calm and wait for confirmation from Wisma Putra and let our government deal with this issue appropriately, that the perpetrators be brought to justice,” she said.

Fatimah also stressed that they fully stood behind Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on his firm stand against all forms of extremism, religious or political, in the state.

She called upon every Sarawakian and parents to inculcate in their children the value of peace, harmony and respect for another human being, irrespective of race and religion and to denounce violence of any form against another human being.

The Philippines Embassy in Kuala Lumpur also strongly condemned the savage murder of Bernard Then Ted Fed by the
Abu Sayyaf group, adding this atrocity perpetrated by the group was inhumane and unjustifiable.

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones for this tragic loss. We hope and pray that his family will have the strength and fortitude to overcome this very difficult time in their lives,” it said in a statement yesterday.

It further said the Philippines authorities will continue to pursue the perpetrators of this criminal act until they are brought to justice.

Meanwhile, the elderly father of Bernard, John Then, was clearly in grief when contacted yesterday.

“I don’t want to talk about it yet. Everything is still messy, and I don’t have peace of mind,” he said.

The last time the family saw the 39-year-old Bernard was during Chinese New Year this year.