Three Indonesian Citizens Abducted In Lahad Datu

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (Antara Bali) - Three Indonesian citizens hailing from East Nusa Tenggara province are suspected to have been abducted by an armed group in Lahat Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.

"I just heard about it and I am now still seeking information to confirm it," East Nusa Tenggara governor Frans Lebu Raya said to Antara here on Sunday evening.

He said based on the information three of his people that had been abducted were known as Theodorus Koping, Emanuel and Lorens Koten.

"We are still coordinating with the immigration authorities in East Nusa Tenggara to know the truth of the information," he said.

He said he had already coordinated with a number of regional leaders with regard to finding a way out in case information about the abduction was right.

He said he did not know yet if the armed group that had abducted the East Nusa Tenggara men belonged to the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines that had abducted 10 Indonesian seamen recently.

The chief of the 161/Wirasakti Military Resort of Kupang, Brigadier General Heri Wiranto confirmed the information.

"I have heard about it but until now no official information has been received," he said.

Chia Tong Lim, the employer of the three Indonesian citizens, reported the incident to the police in Sabah, his state, on Sunday.

In his report given at around 4.17am he said that his workers who are Indonesian citizens were abducted while they were fishing using his ship in the Felda Sahabat Tungky waters in Lahad Datu.

He reported the abduction happened at around 1200 hours local time when his ship with the Indonesian crew on board was approached by a speed boat with five people aboard wielding rifles.

Immediately three of the crew of his boat were taken by the armed group suspected to be connected with the Abu Sayyaf group of the Philippines, he said.

The four other crew left consisting of one Indonesian citizen and three Philippine citizens from Bajau Palauh tribe were released together the ship with registration number LD113/5/F which has now arrived at Lahad Datu port.

Chia Tong Lim who lives in Kampung Cina, Lorong Satu, Pekan Kunak, Sabah, said the names of the abducted Indonesian citizens are  Lorence Koten (34), Teodorus Kopong (42), and Emanuel (40).

The Indonesian consulate general in Kinabalu, Sabah, said in its text message sent through its immigration staff, Nasriansyah,  confirmed the incident on Sunday.

Nasriansyah said the case is currently being tackled by the foreign ministry in cooperation with the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines. (WDY)