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DAP call on government to set up a special squad to end the “reign of fear of terror” paralyzing  Malaysian fishermen as a result of the latest abduction of three  Kuala Sipitang  fishermen by Indonesian pirates
 

Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang

(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): DAP calls on the government to set up a special squad to end the “reign of fear and terror” paralyzing  Malaysian fishermen as a result of the latest abduction of three  Kuala Sipitang  fishermen by Indonesian pirates.

Fishermen in the Perak West Coast, particularly in Kuala Sipitang, dare not go out to sea because of the lawlessness in the Straits of Malacca, following yesterday’s pre-dawn raid by pirates victimizing prawn fishermen about three nautical miles off the coast, abducting three fishermen from Kuala Sipitang.

I have been informed that the pirates are demanding ransom of RM100,000 for each fisherman to secure  release.

Last month, Indonesian pirates kidnapped four Thai fishermen in the strait off Penang and demanded ransom of RM40,000.

In April, pirates kidnapped a Thai fisherman in the strait off Kendi island. He was released after ransom was paid.

I will visit Kuala Sipitang tonight at 8 p.m. together with DAP MPs and Perak State Assembly representatives  to get first-hand information on the “reign of fear and terror” paralyzing the fishermen in the Perak West Coast, following the latest abduction of three Kuala Sipitang fishermen.

The Malaysian government should send a high-level team to Kuala Sipitang to assure the fishermen of protection in the Straits of Malacca and convene an emergency meeting with the Indonesian authorities to end the rampant piracy in the Straits of Malacca preying on  fishermen from other ASEAN countries.

(15/6/2004)


* Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timor & DAP National Chairman