Kidnappers want RM36.4m ransom

The demand comes nine days after seven armed men in masks stormed Singamata Reef Resort and abducted a China national and a Filipino staff.

KOTA KINABALU: The group involved in last Wednesday’s abduction of two foreign nationals from a resort in Semporna have made their ransom demand.

Home Minister Zahid Hamidi today said that the kidnappers are asking for RM36.4 million.

Gao Hua Yuan from Shanghai

“We have received a (ransom) note.The kidnappers have asked for 500mil pesos or RM36.4mil as ransom, ” he told reporters here.

Zahid said his Ministry has send a team ” the police and negotiators” to “discuss” the ransom.

He said the “kidnapper or kidnappers” had appointed a  ”so-called middle person” to negotiate a possible reduction in the ransom.

Zahid also said that the ransom demand was only for the Chinese national. No ransom demand was made for the Filipino resort worker.

The ranson demand comes nine days after seven armed men in masks stormed Singamata Reef Resort at 10.30pm and abducted 29-year- old Gao Hua Yuan from Shanghai and 40-year-old Marcy Darawan, a Filipina.

The gunmen are believed to be linked to the Abu Sayyaf militant group in southern Philippines.

• Yet another BN white elephant?