KOTA KINABALU: FISH breeder Chan Sai Chiun, who was kidnapped from a fish farm in Kunak, Sabah, on June 16, was released yesterday after seven months in captivity.
The 32-year-old, who hails from Perak, was freed by his captors in the southern Philippines yesterday morning and handed over to the Malaysian and Philippine authorities before being taken to Sandakan.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed his release.
Chan underwent a medical check-up at the Duchess of Kent Hospital upon his arrival.
It was reported that Chan was unharmed and had been reunited with his wife, Chin Pek Nyen.
However, Chin, when contacted by the New Straits Times yesterday evening, denied the claims and said she was waiting for an update from the authorities on her husband. It was not known whether any ransom was paid for Chan’s release.
Sabah police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman remained tight-lipped.
On June 16, four gunmen stormed a fish farm in Kampung Sapang Air, Kunak, in the wee hours and kidnapped Chan before escaping by boat to the southern Philippines.
The kidnappers had initially demanded a RM10 million ransom, but later reduced it to RM3 million.
Chan’s wife told reporters in October that the kidnappers had set November as the deadline for the payment of the ransom, failing which, they would behead her husband.
The kidnappers, she added, had called her every day to demand the ransom, but did not allow her to speak to him.
Chan is not the first Malaysian to be kidnapped off the Sabah coast.
On July 12, marine police Constable Zakiah Aleip was kidnapped by eight gunmen, who struck the Mabul Water Bungalows Resort in Pulau Mabul off Semporna.
Zakiah’s partner, Corporal Abd Rajah Jamuan, was killed in a shoot-out with the gunmen.
The kidnappers had demanded RM3 million for his release. It is believed that Zakiah is still being held hostage.
On Sunday, Sabah police confirmed the arrest of Nikson Muktadil, a Filipino believed to be behind most kidnappings in the state’s east coast, including that of Zakiah.
Police are looking for Nikson’s brother, Badong, and three others identified as Bocai @ Komander Black, Ali @ Brown and Alex.