Kidnappers have sent a recent photo of Gao Huayun to Malaysian police to prove that the 29-year old Shanghai tourist, whom they abducted at a Sabah resort, is alive.

Sabah Police Chief Hamza Taib informed the press on the latest development on Monday, but he declined to share the photo of the kidnapped Chinese woman.

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Sources privy to the investigation, however, said Gao was photographed clad in a red and white striped long-sleeved shirt, her left hand tied by clothes to her waist, and teary-eyed.

Police believed that the the other kidnap victim, Filipino resort worker Marcy Dayawan, was safe as well.  Taib said there was no further information given about Dawayan except to confirm her kidnapping. Gao and Dawayan were seized by armed men believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits who stormed the Singamata Reef Resort on April 2.

Taib begged off from providing more information on the progress of the case but assured that they know the situation of the hostages and that they are working fast to free them.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) Director-General Mohammad Mentek also said on Monday that he had already sent officers to the Philippines to discuss a possible hostage rescue without ransom in cooperation with Philippine Police.

Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously revealed that a 70-million RMB ransom was being demanded by the kidnappers for the release of Gao.

"Perhaps he (Ahmad Zahid) has their sources. As for the ESSCOM, our officers so far did not receive any 'formal' ransom request. Even if there was ransom amount, we still could not disclose the information in order not to affect the negotiation," said Mohammad.

Mohammad said he could not talk about the negotiation details and they just want to focus on the task of rescuing Gao.

He also denied that the government appointed a third party to negotiate with the kidnappers on behalf  of Malaysia.