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Published: Sunday January 20, 2013 MYT 4:16:00 PM
Updated: Sunday January 20, 2013 MYT 4:59:19 PM

Hisham: Malaysia cooperating with CIA, MI6, Egyptian intelligence over hostages


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia cooperating with American, British and Egyptian intelligence to find out the fate of two Malaysians who were among the hostages held by Islamist militants in eastern Algeria in four-day stand-off that ended Saturday.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Sunday that information on the situation was still unclear, forcing the government to turn to various sources, including intelligence agencies to know about the situation of the Malaysians who were taken hostage in Algeria.

"I am monitoring the matter closely, and we have a network of intelligence agencies that we can rely on. Not necessarily in Algeria but nearer to that country.

"I also receive reports from our anti-terrorism unit, but I admit that we have been receiving some conflicting reports.

"So, certain things remain unclear but the fate of our citizens is our prime consideration," he said at a press conference after a patrol programme with the Motorcycle Patrol Unit in the Ampang area, here. In the incident, five Malaysians were among 130 workers of various nationalities at the Amenas Oil and Gas Production Complex in Algeria who were taken hostage by a group of militants.

It is believed that the incident was an act of revenge against the Algeran government for allowing the country's air space to be used by French fighter jets to attack Islamist rebels in Mali.

Of the five Malaysians held hostage, three - K. Ravi, Lau Seek Chiang and Patrict Purait Awang - are safe and will return to Malaysia soon.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian embassy in Algiers, Algeria has received information that one of the two Malaysians might have been killed during the attack by the militants at the gas facility. - Bernama

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