Kuala Lumpur seeks extradition of 2 Sayyaf members

MANILA, Philippines - Malaysia has made known to the Philippine government that Kuala Lumpur wants to extradite two Abu Sayyaf militants for the kidnapping and murder of Malaysian engineer Bernard Then, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

Sources revealed Malaysian authorities had discussed the issue with the police attaché of the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur to hand over the two suspects who were reportedly detained in Sulu last Friday.

“Malaysian authorities intimated to the embassy’s police attaché their intent to ask for the handover of the two suspects,” a source told The STAR.

The extradition request will be formalized by the Malaysian government.

“We are yet to receive the official, written request,” another source said.

A report in the New Straits Times said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar stated the application to extradite the two militants was made through the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Foreign Ministry.

He said there is sufficient evidence to charge the Abu Sayyaf militants before Malaysian courts.

The Philippine military, on the other hand, said they have yet to receive the request to extradite Saddam Jailani and Khadaffy Kamsa, the two Abu Sayyaf gunmen accused in the killing of Then.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westermincom), said they are cooperating and sharing information with Malaysian authorities in relation to the investigation.

Tan said the request would be coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Jailani and Kamsa, who were separately captured last month in Sulu, were among the Abu Sayyaf involved in the kidnapping of Then and restaurant manager Thein Nyuk Fun in Sabah and brought to Sulu last May.

Fun was released last Nov. 8 allegedly on payment of huge ransom but Then was beheaded a week later.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak condemned the killing and called on the Philippine government to take action “against those who have perpetrated this savage and barbaric act and ensure that they are brought to justice.”

Razak made the statement after he learned of the beheading while he was among world leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila last month.