Sabahan Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, who was abducted by Southern Philippines militant group Abu Sayyaf six months ago, was released safely today.
Media reports claimed that Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, was freed after a payment of some 30 million pesos (RM2.78 million) in ransom was made.
Negotiations however are still ongoing to secure the release of another Malaysian, Sarawakian Bernard Then, 39, The Star Online reported.
Citing unnamed intelligence sources, the news portal reported Thien was taken by an Abu Sayyaf commander named Indang Susukan, but released by another leader Al Habsy, from the Indanan area in the southern Philippines island of Jolo at 11pm yesterday.
The restaurant manager returned safely back to her hometown of Sandakan on Sabah’s east coast after an eight-hour speedboat ride, and is said to be healthy apart from a case of disorientation.
The report also said that Malaysian and Filipino negotiators were still trying to work out a deal with the kidnappers to release Then.
Thien and Then were taken by armed gunmen from the popular Ocean Seafood Restaurant, where Thien works, on May 15.
It was reported that negotiations for Then had hit a bump when other Abu Sayyaf groups had complicated efforts.
There was no mention of a ransom although Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman was previously reported as saying that kidnappers had demanded a high ransom.
Jalaluddin has yet to issue a statement.
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