Negotiations have begun for the release of the five Malaysian sailors taken hostage from a tugboat off Lahad Datu.
According to the New Straits Times, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that kidnappers had made contact with the hostages’ families and that the kidnappers had been identified.
The five crew members are Abdul Rahim Summas, 62, Tayudin Anjut, 45, Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, Fandy Bakran, 26, and Mohamad Jumadil Rahim, 23.
Nur Jazlan advised discretion and that the family members hold back from disclosing discussions between the authorities and the kidnappers.
“What is more important is to secure the release of the victims.” Nur Jazlan was quoted as saying after conferring the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara to members of the security forces in Sandakan.
A tugboat belonging to a local company was found without any of its crew members in waters off Dent Haven, Tambisan at about 2pm on July 18 with the engine still running.
The tugboat was understood to be heading to Sandakan from Semporna and was expected to be back to Semporna by 8am on Monday.