PHNOM PENH: The 40 Sarawakians who have been freed yesterday from detention at the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison in Cambodia yesterday will return home to Kuching tomorrow (Feb 17).
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah told reporters that a delegation comprising Malaysian embassy and Sarawak officials will fly to Seam Reap from here to accompany the Sarawakians home.
“I was just informed by phone by Datuk Othsman Hassan, Special Representative of Prime Minister Hun Sen, by phone that all the detainees will be released.
“We will make the necessary arrangement and prepare the travel documents for the Sarawakians,” she told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Fatimah expressed her gratitude to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Cambodian Law Minister Ang Vong Vothana and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister for their assistance in securing the release of the detainees.
She also thanked Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Foreign Ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram, Banteay Meanchey prisons chief Gen Ung and Sarawak Foreign Affairs director Deddy Faisal Ahmad.
