By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Feb 15: The 47 Malaysians detained in Cambodia will be flying home on Sunday (Feb 17).
Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is part of the delegation from the state to Cambodia, said delegation leader Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah would be arranging for their flights back home.
“This morning, I received a text message from the Cambodian Prime Minister’s Office asking for the contact number of our Chief Minister’s Office. This meant our Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) has been informed by the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier,” he told reporters in Cambodia just now.
Wan Junaidi said he and Fatimah were scheduled to meet Minister in the Cambodian Prime Minister’s Department Oknha Datuk Dr Othsman Hassan earlier, but the latter had to cancel the meeting because he had to rush to Siem Reap to carry out the release procedure for the 47 Malaysians detained at the Banteay Manchey Provincial Prison there.
Wan Junaidi said Othsman later contacted Fatimah to confirm the release of the 47 Malaysians, with no criminal charges against them upon the green light from their Prime Minister.
“Tomorrow, we will be going back to Siem Reap to arrange documentation for the release of all 47 Malaysians, then arrange for their flights. We will look at the AirAsia sponsored flight as promised earlier, or others, as long as we (delegates) fly back together with them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fatimah’s aide, in a text message, confirmed that the Malaysians would be flying home on Sunday.
With that, Wan Junaidi thanked the Cambodian government for their kind hospitality not just to the delegates but also to the Malaysian detainees.
He said the release of the detainees would strengthen bilateral ties between Cambodia and Malaysia, especially with Sarawak.
“I feel happy with the news after seeing Cambodia very high in its humanitarian grounds, compassion and tolerance.
“I had high expectations with this working trip, but I did not expect it to be this high, and they (Malaysian detainees) would be freed today,” said Wan Junaidi. — DayakDaily
