PUTRAJAYA: The Foreign Ministry today confirmed that Malaysian kidnap victim 34-year-old Jari Abdullah died at 1.17pm yesterday in the Philippines.
In a statement, the ministry said Jari, who had escaped from his Abu Sayyaf kidnappers and was repeatedly shot five days ago, had died at the West Metro Medical Centre, Zamboanga City, Mindanao.
“The Malaysian Consul General to Davao City, was sent to Zamboanga since April 5, to monitor the victim’s condition as well as provide consulate assistance to the family.
“The consul is also making arrangements for the remains of Jari to be brought back to Malaysia as soon as possible.
“The remains is expected to arrive at Sandakan Airport at 7.45am tomorrow,” the ministry said.
Wisma Putra also extended its gratitude to the Philippine government and its agencies for the search and rescue efforts to locate Jari.
“We also convey our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends,” it added.
It was reported that Jari had suffered gunshot wounds to his head, chest and groin as he escaped from his kidnappers during a gunfight on April 4.
According to news reports, Philippine troops rescued him and took him to a hospital where he remained in a critical condition and never regained consciousness.
Jari and two Indonesians were abducted from their Sandakan-based fishing trawler in the Pegasus Reef area in Kinabatangan waters, close to Tawi Tawi island in southern Philippines on Dec 5.