UPDATE ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN MALAYSIA

28 April 2000

According to South African mission officials in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry addressed a briefing of embassies/high commissions affected by the hostage situation. The following is the contents of the briefing from the Malaysian Foreign Ministry:

• The hostages remain safe and unharmed.
• The safety of the hostages remains of paramount importance for both Malaysia and Philippines.
• The Malaysian Government has assigned the Governor of Mindao to start negotiations with the abductors.
• In this regard, emissaries of the Governor have been despatched to the abductors to lay the ground work to begin negotiations for the release of the hostages.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853 or (012) 351-0034/5/6

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
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