The RM12mil raised by the families of the four kidnapped Sarawakians has been transferred to several “legal” organisations in the Philippines, The Star Online reports.
The news portal quoted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying that the money was not used to pay ransom.
“Rest assured that police are not keeping the money. It has been sent to the Philippines as contribution.
“The money given was not used to pay ransom. This is because the Government has decided that there should be no ransom paid and we do not heed demands for ransom,” Zahid Hamidi was quoted as saying.
However, he did not reveal the name of the organisations, but assured that they were legal.
“I can confirm the RM12mil that was handed over to the Special Branch by the families was given as a form of contribution to certain organisations in the Philippines,” he told the news portal, adding that the money was to ‘assist in their struggle that is in accordance with the law and Islamic principles’.
He also stressed that the money was not in the hands of any militant or terror groups.
The money was raised by the families of the four Sarawakian sailors, who were taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants on April 1, and handed over to the Special Branch on May 24.
From the RM12mil, RM9mil was reportedly raised through donations while the remaining RM3mil came from mortgages and the shipping company in which the four men worked.
On June 7, the four sailors – Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Hung Sing, 34, Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21 – were freed by the militants.
