Photo taken at the Honiara International Airport in Solomon Islands shows Mohd Rezza (third left) with the six Sarawakians.
MIRI: The six Sarawakians, who had been stranded on Solomon Islands for the past three months, have finally returned home safe and sound.
They arrived here yesterday via Changi International Airport in Singapore, following successful repatriation by the Malaysian High Commission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, made possible through concerted diplomatic and consular efforts.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, who was met at Miri Airport yesterday, said the stranded Sarawakians comprised four Ibans from Kapit and two Kayans from Baram – all of whom had landed jobs with a timber company in the Solomon Islands.
“Regrettably, their employment contract was prematurely terminated. They wanted to leave the country earlier, and had contacted me for help but due to the expensive fares, I could not do anything except to try getting assistance from various parties,” he said.
Dennis said despite receiving unpleasant comments from some people, he had continued to look for ways to bring the Sarawakians back home over the past two months.
“My prayers were answered when Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing was willing to bear the fares of about RM3,800 each.”
Dennis thanked the Malaysian High Commissioner in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman; Malaysian Honorary Consul-General in Solomon Islands, Hii Yii Ging; and Foreign Ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob for their help.
He also thanked Mohd Rezza Mohd Yusof from the Malaysian High Commission in Papua New Guinea and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak for facilitating the six men’s journey out of Solomon Islands.
Two of them, Anyie Ngau and Denis Anyie Ngau, arrived at Miri Airport at 2.25pm yesterday, while Ricky Alex, Menlingang Laja, Edau Mengit and Ugot Masam arrived at Sibu Airport at 5.25pm later.