(Nov 19): The negotiations for the return of Malaysian hostage Bernard Then, who was beheaded in southern Philippines by Abu Sayyaf militants, became difficult when the terrorists imposed additional conditions, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

In sympathising with the family, the home minister said the government did everything it could to save Then's life.

"The Federal government and Sabah government tried everything we could to secure the release of the two hostages but what has happened saddens us.

"This is because certain parties had promised our negotiators to free them both but unfortunately they imposed additional conditions and this was not well received by the negotiators," Zahid said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He added that the government had yet to receive any official confirmation on Then's death.

Zahid also said Malaysian police have contacted Then's family to convey that the government was working on bringing his remains home quickly.

"PDRM has contacted the family to tell them that if the reports are true, we would try and get his remains home so that he can be laid to rest.

"We truly sympathise with the family," he added.

Yesterday, Then's family made an appeal to both governments to expedite the process to search for and bring his remains back to the country.

They also requested for privacy to mourn their loss.

Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded Then, who was abducted from the Ocean King Seafood Restaurant in Sandakan in May together with restaurant owner Thien Nyuk Fung. Thien, however, was released on November 9. – The Malaysian Insider