Malaysian police believe kidnapped Taiwanese tourist still alive

Malaysian police said Thursday that the information they got suggested the Taiwanese tourist who was abducted at an island resort last week remains alive.

National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said police believe that the 58-year-old Chang An Wei was still safe based on a recording of a conversation between the kidnappers, without disclosing further details on the recording.

Malaysian police also believed that Chang was brought to the neighboring southern Philippines by the kidnappers.

The police earlier declined to confirm reports that the kidnappers had asked for ransom, saying that the intense media coverage would threaten Chang's safety.

Chang was abducted from the Pom Pom Island Resort on Malaysia's Borneo state of Sabah on Nov. 15 when her husband was shot dead during the assault by unknown gunmen