Gunmen affiliated to the Abu Sayyaf Islamist militant group is demanding a ransom of up to RM5 million for the release of police constable Zakiah Aleip, who was abducted from Mabul Island near Semporna, Sabah on July 12.
During the incident at the Mabul Water Bungalows Resort, Zaziah’s partner Kpl Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32, was shot dead.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman declined to disclose the exact amount of the ransom demanded, but conceded that negotiations for Kons Zakiah’s release would take longer than expected as the ransom demand was “too high”.
The Star Online reports that Comm Jalaluddin said of the matter,“It is going to take time … the amount is too high,” and that he added that the gunmen had allowed 42 calls to be made between Zakiah, 26, and his wife.
“The gunmen also gave him (Kons Zakiah) the chance to speak to his wife and family members, most of the time during the afternoon or evening,” he said.
Kons Zakiah is reported to be unhurt, although he was being shifted between different locations by his captors to avoid detection by Philippines police.
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