Year 2000
Abu Sayyaf rebels kidnapped 3 men
Sunday, 10th September 2000
Abu Sayyaf rebels kidnapped 3 men from Pandanan Island off Borneo and took them to Jolo island in the Philippines.
Eco-Challenge Sabah
Friday, 25th August 2000
78 persons in the Eco-Challenge Sabah encountered flooded rivers over a 2-week race in Malaysian Borneo. A number later found themselves infected with leptospirosis.
Anwar Ibrahim convicted of sodomy
Tuesday, 8th August 2000
Anwar Ibrahim was given a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy (engage in an unnatural sexual intercourse) with his family driver Azizan A## B###r. According to Azizan, Anwar was behind him for 15 times between between 1992 to 1997. The prison sentence came on top of a six-year jail term which Anwar is currently serving for corruption would keep Malaysia's main opposition figure in political wilderness until at least 2014. During the highly-charged climax of the 14-month trial, High Court Judge Arifin Jaka ruled that Anwar (age 52) and his adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan (age 39), were guilty of sodomy. Brother Sukma was given six years in prison and four strokes of a cane. Anwar who turns 53 was spared canning, as caning is limited to convicts aged 49 years and below in Malaysia. Prisoners, who show good behaviour in Malaysia, generally serve two-thirds of their jail-terms.
Commandos Ended a 4-day Standoff
Thursday, 6th July 2000
The Malaysian commandos ended a 4-day standoff and forced the surrender of 27 militants of Al-Ma’unah (Brotherhood of Inner Power), led by Amin Razali. 2 non-Muslim hostages were slain in the process. 8 August 2000, 29 members of the Al-Ma’unah Islamic sect were charged with treason. 19 cult members were found guilty Dec 27, 2001.
Philippine gunmen in Sipadan Island
Sunday, 23rd April 2000
Philippine gunmen abducted 20 people from a Malaysian resort on Sipadan Island. Islamic insurgents took credit for the attack. They later freed 2 hostages and demanded $2.4 million in ransom for 19 captives.
Survivor Pulau Tiga.
Monday, 13th March 2000
CBS began filming its "Survivor" show on the Malaysian island of Pulau Tiga. Filming lasted to 20 April and the last survivor was to be awarded a $1 million prize. 23 August 200, The final winner of the "Survivor" TV contest set on Pulau Tiga island was broadcast to as many as 40-50 million viewers. Richard Hatch, age 39, a corporate trainer from Newport, R.I., won the $1 million grand prize. Interestingly in 2006, Hatch was convicted on three counts related to tax evasion and was sentenced to 51 months in Federal prison plus three years of supervised probation.