Malaysian civil engineer, Richard Lau Yi Lok, who was detained at Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Central Prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was released on bail yesterday at 4.30pm local time (8.30pm Malaysian time).

Foreign MinisterAnifah Aman said Lau would remain in the UAE for his court hearing until his case was o ver.

"Malaysian Consulate General officers in Dubai were in RAK to assist in Richard Lau's release.

"The Malaysian government appreciates the close relations between Malaysia and the UAE government and wishes to thank the UAE government especially the UAE Foreign Ministry for their assistance in the release of Richard Lau Yi Lok," he said in a statement today.

Anifah (photo) also thanked the Ras Al Khaimah government, UAE Legal Ministry, RAK Legislative Department and officers of the Malaysian Embassy in Abu Dhabi as well as the Malaysian Consulate General in Dubai.

Anifah added that the spirit of fraternity and cooperation shown by the UAE government in helping to solve problems involving Malaysian citizens in the Middle East was the result of diplomacy at the highest level.

He said the Malaysian government had always focused on the welfare of its citizens who faced problems overseas and was committed in ensuring that they received consular assistance in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 (VCCR 1963) and the provisions of local law.

According to reports, Lau, 41, was sent to Ras Al Khaimah by a Malaysian maritime transport company based in Miri, as a project coordinator at its subsidiary there, five years ago.

It was also reported that he was detained following a complaint lodged by an Emirati who is a partner of the subsidiary company accusing him of stealing wages and commission.

The complaint referred to a large sum of money paid to Lau, which reportedly was actually his salary for carrying out his duties as instructed by the parent company.

- Bernama