Chong Chung Ngen, the Malaysian worker who was killed in the Algerian hostage crisis in Ain Amenas, Algeria had only been working there for the past three months, said his grieving wife.

Chong's wife Karen Tham Yoke Hing, 54, who was still weak and in a state of shock after receiving news of her husband's death from Wisma Putra on yesterday, said her husband worked as a 'Quality Control Inspector'.

"Nobody can accept such shocking news. I am still waiting for the latest development and information from Wisma Putra as to when my husband's body will be brought home," she told reporters who had waited at her house in Taman Ipoh Timur, in Ipoh, for almost two hours.

Tham, who was accompanied by her sister Janet Tham, 60, had earlier refused to meet journalists who were waiting at her house.

In a statement earlier today, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had said that the family of Chong had been informed of his death and that the Malaysian Embassy in Algeria was working closely with Chong's employer JGC Construction Pte. Ltd, to bring back his body to Malaysia.

In the Jan 16 incident, five Malaysians were among 130 workers from various nations at the Ain Amenas Oil and Gas Production Complex in eastern Algeria who were taken hostage by a militant group.

Thirty-seven foreigners of eight different nationalities and an Algerian were killed in the siege by the hostage-takers who were demanding the release of Islamist prisoners and an end to France's intervention in Mali.

Meanwhile, the Perak government offered its condolences to Chong's family.

Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir said he was sad that the hostage crisis had claimed a victim from Perak.

"It was most unfortunate and unexpected. We sympathise for what had happened. I hope Chong's family members will remain calm as efforts are being made to fly his body home," he said here after an exco meeting today.

- Bernama

 

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