KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has expressed his grief over the fate which befell Bernard Then, the Sarawakian reportedly killed by militants after being held hostage since May.
Adenan described the atrocity as "murderous".
"This is very tragic. What they (terrorist) did was murderous," said Adenan when met after the Sarawak-level Public Service Day celebration here today.
Asked if the state government would provide any assistance to the victim’s next-of-kin, Adenan said he will look into it.
During the event, Adenan also called on the 7,000-strong crowd at the event to observe a moment of silence for the victim.
State Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah is expected to give a press conference on the matter at her office this evening.