Man kidnapped in M'sia by Abu Sayyaf rebels released

The victim, Yang Zai Lin, 34, is now in the town of Sandakan in the eastern state of Sabah after he was freed by his kidnappers, believed to be gunmen from the southern Philippines, police Inspector General Khalid Abu Bakar said.

Khalid did not give the circumstances related to the release of the victim, who was believed to have been taken by his kidnappers to the Philippine island of Jolo, a known base for al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels.

Yangwas seized on May 6 from the fish farm he was managing in Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu district, about 1,850 kilometres east of Kuala Lumpur. There was no indication of whether a ransom was paid for his release.

On May 30, suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels freed two women – a Chinese tourist and a Filipino worker – seized in April from a resort in Semporna town in Sabah. Abu Sayyaf militants are believed to be still holding two Malaysian hostages, a fish farm caretaker and a worker.