Kidnapped seamen seek Gus Dur's help

JAKARTA: Relatives of three Indonesian seamen, who are currently be held by a rebel group in the Philippines, asked former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid on Friday to help seek their release.

Samsudin Abdurahman, a brother of Yamin Labuso -- one of the abducted seamen, urged Gus Dur to communicate with the Moro group in the southern Philippines.

In response, Gus Dur, known for his good rapport with a wide range of international Muslim groups, said he would help the victims, while adding that he did indeed have contact with the Moro group.

Yamin and two other seamen, Ahmad Resmiadi and Erikson Hutagaol, were kidnapped on March 1, while fishing aboard a Malaysian-flagged boat in the Celebes Sea.

The abductors have demanded 3 million ringgit from the Malaysian government and 100,000 pesos and a camera from the Indonesian government. --Antara