Malaysia found a drifting coal barge linked to the kidnapping of 10 sailors in the southern Philippines, a coast guard official said today.

The barge carrying 7,000 tonnes of coal drifted into Malaysian waters and was spotted yesterday off Lahad Datu in the eastern state of Sabah, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency district chief Razak Abdul Rahman said.

Suspected Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels on March 26 boarded the tugboat which was pulling the barge in Philippine waters, and seized 10 Indonesian sailors. The tugboat was later previously found abandoned.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf was asking for US$1 million in ransom in exchange for the 10 captives.

- dpa