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Ransom was paid, says freed Filipina BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Ransom was paid, says freed Filipina

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 10:17 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The Filipino migrant worker abducted in Sabah along with a Chinese national by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in April believes ransom money was paid for their release on May 30 by the family of her fellow captive, a report said yesterday.

Forty-year-old Mercedita Dayawan, a resident of this town, told the Philippine Inquirer in Midsayap, North Cotabto that she took part in the negotiations for the release of Chinese national Gao Hua Yuan as translator.

The duo were seized by Filipino gunmen from the Singmata Adventures Reef and Resort off Sabah on April 2.

The Filipina worked in the resort as a member of its staff.

"I served as translator between Gao and the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers so I know how much money was involved," Dayawan told the Church-run Radio DXMS.

She said Gao, 29, a student from Shanghai, conducted the negotiations with her parents.

The kidnappers, Dayawan said, initially wanted P500 million for the Chinese national's release.

"Gao would talk to her parents and then told me in English what the conversation was all about. I would then translate it into Filipino to the captors," Dayawan said.

Dayawan said that during the negotiations, the kidnappers threatened to behead them if ransom was not paid.

She said the kidnappers eventually settled for P300 million and that the Gao family agreed to pay it.

"I was convinced money was paid because that was repeatedly demanded by the kidnappers before they freed us," she said, explaining that the ransom was really for the Chinese woman and that the kidnappers never demanded any ransom specifically for her.

Dayawan, who admitted entering Sabah illegally via the 'southern backdoor', told reporters that the fact they were not beheaded but were instead released made her believe all the more that money did change hands.

But she said Philippine and Malaysian authorities would say that no ransom was involved.

Asked how certain she was that the kidnappers were Abu Sayyaf, Dayawan said she suspected they were.

She said the group, led by one Alhabsi Misaya, kept them in the jungles of Indanan in Sulu for weeks and that they were released in Sabah.

"They called their leader Misaya and sometimes Maas (elder)," she said, adding that their captors numbered about 70 heavily armed men.

Dayawan recalled that while in captivity, she served as Gao's caretaker, attending to her needs.

"She cried heavily when we parted ways in Kuala Lumpur," Dayawan said.

"Most of the time we were fed fried chicken the Abu Sayaff bought from a food store somewhere; it tasted good," she said.

When Gao celebrated her birthday on April 8, Dayawan said, the kidnappers also brought in 'special food bought from 'the town'.

The kidnappers, she said, respected their privacy throughout their captivity.

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Jeffrey: Double 6 Tragedy helps to shape Sabah’s future

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 10:16 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The history changing Double 6 Tragedy is slowly but surely awakening Sabahans to their losses arising from the tragic incident and helping to shape Sabah's future.

STAR Sabah chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said this after attending a joint memorial service organised by STAR Sabah and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) at the Double 6 Monument in Sembulan yesterday morning to pay their respects and tribute to the fallen heroes in the tragic plane crash.

The plane crash claimed the life of Sabah's first chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens and several of his cabinet ministers.

"Now in hindsight, the tragedy not only resulted in a change of chief minister and cabinet ministers but it changed the course of Sabah's history and Sabah's rights," said Jeffrey.

Foremost, he said Sabah lost its oil and gas resources and only received 5 per cent oil royalty from Petronas.

"Today, Sabahans are standing up and demanding not only an increase of the 5 per cent cash payment or oil royalty but also seeking the return of the oil ownership rights.

"Sabah leaders, especially the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government, are now caught between the devil and the deep blue sea for not demanding an increase in the oil royalty as has been openly done by Sarawak leaders.

"Sabahans would probably not be mourning if these leaders now were to choose to jump into the beautiful and pristine blue seas off Kota Kinabalu compared to the continued remembrance of those heroes who perished in the 1976 plane crash," he said.

Jeffrey added equally important, Sabah lost its nationhood status after being downgraded to being the 12th state in Malaysia in August 1976 and the Head of State downgraded to "Yang DiPertua Negeri" from "Yang DiPertua Negara".

With growing awareness of Sabah's history and part in the formation of Malaysia, he said Sabahans are now demanding a review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and restoration of its rights and autonomy.

The only obstacles standing in the way of these rights are the present Sabah BN government and the BN federal government.

With the people's awakening now, it will only be a matter of time before Sabahans choose the path of self-determination and their future destiny.

"Sabahans are beginning to learn the mistakes of the past and learn from the painful and bitter lessons of the tragic Double 6 and its consequences.

"Sabahans are beginning to take pro-active steps to protect their homeland and chart their future on their own," said Jeffrey who is also Bingkor assemblyman.

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Don’t take security in sabah lightly – Hisham

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 10:10 AM PDT

TAWAU: Security should not be taken lightly in Sabah especially in the east coast of the state, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said the recent two incidents of kidnapping in Sabah's east coast was a reminder that there were still measures that needed to be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

"I wish to stress that security is not an issue that can be taken lightly.

"Maybe the intrusion incident which took place in Lahad Datu last year will not happen again… but these latest incidents of kidnapping show we must really work hard and not view such matters lightly," he said.

He told this to reporters after receiving a briefing on operational matters by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) here yesterday.

Hishammuddin said all parties should work together towards ensuring Sabah is free of any security threats so that the people could live in peace and harmony.

"As such, we must find new approaches to bolster cooperation between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia and neighbouring countries towards achieving greater security in the east coast of Sabah in future," he said.

Meanwhile,  Hishammuddin said several more measures needed to be taken by ESSCom to beef up security in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZone).

"After receiving this briefing I feel there is much more we can do and I believe the people of Sabah don't want to hear mere assurances," he said.

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Persatuan Hin Ann Kota Kinabalu bag first title

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 10:07 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Persatuan Hin Ann Kota Kinabalu clinched the first title as the 1st Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race got underway at the Likas Bay here yesterday.

Hin Ann clocked 4.19:52s in the 800m mixed team final for the local Chinese communities associations category to lift the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) Trophy.

Sze Yi Association (4.31:48s) and Persatuan Nam Ann Sabah (4.32:67s) settled for second and third placing respectively in the seven-team final.

It was the only title race on the opening day of the two-day event, with teams in several categories also taking to the sea to compete in the heats.

"All went well today and hopefully it will be the same when all the finals get underway on Sunday," said organising secretary Zachary Mobijohn when met yesterday.

Today's finals will include Kinabalu Dragon Trophy Men's Open, Kinabalu Dragon Trophy Mixed Team, FCAS Trophy for Chinese Mixed Teams, Sabah Dragon Trophy for International and Malaysian Mixed Teams and Kinabalu Dragon Trophy for Junior Boys under-20.

There will also be the FCAS Trophy for Chinese Men's Teams, Chief Minister Trophy for Malaysian Men's Teams and Sabah Head of State Trophy for International and Malaysian Top Teams finals.

The highlight of the day will certainly be the Sabah Head of State Trophy where defending champions Tanjung Papat A will look to complete a hat-trick of titles in the main race.

Tanjung Papat A, the 2012 and 2013 winners, however face stiff challenges especially from Boracay All-Stars Dragon Boat Team of the Philippines who clocked the fastest time in the qualifying race.

Competing in Heat Two, Boracay All-Stars clocked 3.48:47s to finish ahead of Tanjung Papat A in 3.50:17s followed by last year's third placing Entulon Team A in 3.52:90s.

The trio will be joined by Lontuong Wajah Baru, Leila Menchanai Brunei Darussalam, Gayang Team and GAMBTA Brunei Darussalam in the finals.

Lontuong Wajah Baru and Gayang Team earned their spots in the Head of State Trophy after finishing one-two in the Chief Minister Trophy event last year.

Lontuong Wajah Baru won Heat One in 3.50:23s followed by Leila Menchanai (3.52:01s), Gayang Team (3.53:30s) and GAMBTA (3.53:39s).

Other spotlights on the day include the 24 Chinese drums performance as well as the zong zi (rice dumpling) offering ceremony to mark the opening of the event.

A total of 112 teams have registered for the race where Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin will be the guest-of-honour at the final day of races today.

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MCA did not get consensus to accept Hiew – PBS

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 10:06 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The announcement that Luyang assemblyman Dr Hiew King Cheu has been accepted as an MCA member is seen by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), another BN component, as a worrying development.

"Sabah MCA chief Wilfred Yong confirmed the acceptance of Hiew's application, claiming MCA had the PM's and Chief Minister's approval. That is news to PBS and I am sure, also to other BN component parties," PBS secretary general Datuk Johnny Mositun said in a statement yesterday.

He was commenting on reports in the local media that Dr Hiew, who had won the Luyang state seat on a DAP ticket against MCA's Agnes Shim, had joined MCA after leaving DAP over differences with the party's leadership shortly after the 13th general election.

Mositun said PBS had always adhered to the principle of consensus within the BN before accepting opposition defectors or parties into the ruling coalition.

"That was a principle adopted by BN itself, not PBS, when BN was formed. It was done to maintain mutual respect, unity and discipline within BN. It was also to uphold the dignity of BN as a respectable, principled and credible coalition," he said.

He said when Umno's Datuk John Ghani stood as an independent for the Kuala Penyu seat in a past general election and won, PBS respected Umno's objections and turned down the latter's application to rejoin BN as a PBS member.

"PBS would like to know why this BN principle of consensus based on mutual understanding and respect is not being applied by MCA in this case," Mositun said.

He said that Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), another BN component party, had put on hold the applications from Hiew and two other state assemblymen, Datuk Jelani Hamdan and Jeremy Malajad of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), based on the same principle.

"But with MCA setting this precedent, the door is open now for any BN party, including PBS, in the future, to take in those who opposed BN in the general elections as members regardless of the feelings of their fellow BN members," Mositun said.

He suggested that if the BN leadership no longer felt the need for the principle of consensus in such matters, perhaps it could adopt a new 'free for all policy'.

"By this I mean allowing 'friendly contests' between BN members in future elections. Whoever wins can still be a BN member with no action taken against him or her for opposing the BN's official candidate. Of course it might benefit the opposition, but then it is my view that BN also cannot have its cake and eat it," Mositun said.

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Be united in request for oil royalty hike – Umno P’pang

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 10:05 AM PDT

PENAMPANG: Umno Penampang chief Datuk John Ambrose has called on all Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties in Sabah to be united in requesting for an increase in the oil and gas royalty paid to the state.

John was of the opinion that Sabah must emulate Sarawak in their unity and hard work with regards to requesting that the federal government increase its oil and gas royalty.

"All the BN component parties must do this for the benefit of Sabah and its people… this is not only the concern of Umno or Upko but all the BN component parties in Sabah. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is a just man, I know him and I know he will be understanding," John said.

However, he stressed that the request must be reasonable and result in a win-win situation for everyone.

John who was met after officiating Kampung Limbanak's Kaamatan celebration yesterday, said this when asked to comment about the calls by BN component parties in Sabah for the State Government to also request the Federal Government to increase the oil and gas royalty paid to Sabah.

According to the Penampang Parliament Rural Development Council chairman, if the federal government turns down the request then the State Government can request for other allocations.

"Whatever the decision, it is more important that Sabah gets more allocation," he stressed.

Commenting on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's statement on the oil royalty, John was of the opinion that Umno must give their undivided support to Musa on whatever decision is made on the matter.

The Chief Minister said after chairing the Sabah Umno meeting here on Friday that Sabah will continue with its own approach in discussing issues on oil royalty with the Federal Government.

He said Sabah has been continuously engaging the federal government on the matter since 2008, although such discussions took place behind closed door and not revealed to the media.

"Every state has their ways of doing things, and we have our own. We have been asking (for the review) using our own way, through certain readily available channels.

"We are not following Sarawak, in fact, we are the first to brought the matter up," he said when asked to comment on the more aggressive approach by Sarawak in demanding for an increased royalty.

John also said he had requested all the Village Development and Security Committee and  the mini bus association president to send their reports to him regarding roads that need repairs in their villages in Penampang.

"The reports must be in by July so that I can submit them to the relevant ministries for further action," he said, adding that the reports must be accompanied by photographs.

Assessment of the damages and cost of repairs will be carried out by the district officer once the reports are received, he said.

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