He said the police were negotiating with the Philippine authorities in the effort to get the abductors to release them.

“I don’t want to comment further for the sake of their safety. But we are following developments and will continue with the negotiations and take the necessary steps to ensure their safety,” he said.

He disclosed this at a media conference after the opening of the 2016 National Key Targets Seminar by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here.

Asked if the kidnappers had made any ransom demand, Khalid declined to comment for fear that it could affect the safety of the kidnap victims.

Those kidnapped are Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Hung Sing, 34, Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.

They were among the nine crew of a tugboat which was heading back to Malaysia from the Philippines when the abduction took place.

Khalid also said that police had intelligence information as to why the four Malaysians were targeted by the kidnappers but declined to divulge details to protect the victims.

-BERNAMA