PUTRAJAYA: The hijacking of MT Orkim Harmony oil tanker has been officially declared over with the rescue of the 22 crewmen on board and the recovery of the petrol-laden vessel.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said the authorities have entered the second phase of the overall operations which was now focused on a detailed probe into the incident.
Apart from relief over the safety of the crewmen, Puzi said the MMEA was also elated with the detention of eight men suspected to be the hijackers who washed ashore in a life raft in Tho Chu Island in Vietnam.
“This breakthrough is what we have all been waiting for as the Malaysian people and family members (of the crewmen) had prayed for the safety of those on board the merchant tanker.
“This was possible through the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), the Royal Malaysian Air Force and their international counterparts, and the coast guards of our neighbours Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand,” he said at MMEA headquarters, here, this afternoon.
Puzi said 21 of the 22 crew members appeared to be in good condition after the rescue.
However, cook Mavit Matin was shot by a hijacker but does not require surgery.
Now, said Puzi, MMEA will conduct a detailed probe into the hijacking under section 633 of the MMEA Act 2004. The eight suspects detained face 10 to 15 years’ prison and caning.
