Indonesians Taken Hostage, Kidnappers Demand Large Ransom
26 September 2018 12:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry provided a cold response toward the demands of a hard line group for a RM 4 million (Rp 14.4 billion) ransom in exchange for two Indonesian fishermen that the group held hostage since September 11, 2018.
The Ministry has yet officially announced the identities of the two Indonesian men that were taken hostage however, it is certain that the men originate from West Sulawesi.
“Hopefully, the Sabah police would not just brief us upon the ransom but also attempt to free the 2 Indonesian Citizens that are taken hostage in the area of Sabah,” said Indonesian citizen protection director Lalu Muhammad Iqbal today on Wednesday.
The two fishermen who were taken hostage worked at the Dwi Jaya I boat under a Malaysian flag.
According to thestar.com, the kidnappers are strongly suspected to be a hardline group from the Philippines.
The Sabah Police Chief Omar Mammah said that a family member of the fishermen received a call from the kidnappers on September 18 that demanded a RM4 million ransom.
TEMPO.CO