The Malaysian government has backed off from helping the Philippines solve the hostage-crisis that was spawned when the Abu Sayyaf raided two resorts and a coconut plantation and took 27 hostages.

The Philippines Ambassador to Malaysia, Jose Brilliantes, said however that another unnamed Malaysian negotiator has expressed a willingness to help solve the hostage crisis, although the Malaysian government has not yet officially given another negotiator the green light.

Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, said: "There has been no response from the Malaysian government. What we know is that they have not given permission for this Malaysian negotiators to get involved in the Philippines' affairs."

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was quoted as saying he has not received a formal request from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "We will study it if it comes," he said.

The Abu Sayyaf had, earlier, asked former Malaysian senator Sairin Karno and Malaysian businessman Yussuf Hamdan to negotiate the hostage release with the government.

Hamdan, however, said in Malaysia that if Sabaya's claim was true he and Karno would not mediate. "I was very upset when I heard the news. I have asked Radio Mindanao Network to relay a message to the Abu Sayyaf group to call me to confirm the news," Hamdan added.

"How can we mediate when you (Abu Sayyaf) do not give us a chance to talk? Why should we go if they do not honour their words?" Yusuf asked, and added: "Next time they will chop off our heads!"
Sairin was a former member of Malaysia's upper house of parliament.

Unconfirmed reports claim the Abu Sayyaf has executed another two hostages in Basilan. The two were reportedly among 15 male workers abducted from the Golden Harvest coconut plantation in Barangay Tairan in Lantawan, Basilan last Monday.

Lantawan Mayor, Tahira Ismael, said his office received reports about the reported deaths, and said this was due to a lack of food.

"They were starved. The bandits were running out of food. My office is looking for possible means to deliver food to the hostages," said Ismael.