Navy foils piracy attempt on tanker in Malacca Strait

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

The Indonesian Navy has foiled a hijacking attempt by a group of pirates that boarded Kraton tanker, which was transporting 2,294 tons of cooking oil across the Malacca Strait.

The Navy foiled the piracy attempt Monday after the tanker, which departed from Palembang, South Sumatra, en route to Cilacap in Central Java, was attacked by 14 pirates at the tip of the Musi River on Saturday.

Ruskandi, the captain of the tanker, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that after sailing for five hours from the Musi River near Palembang, a group of people in a small boat approached the tanker and climbed on board waving pistols.

"A number of the tanker's crew members were kidnapped. I immediately informed Teluk Bayut port's administration about the incident ... told the officers the pirates had brought bombs with them and were ready to use them," Ruskandi said.

He said the pirates took over the tanker, which was transporting cooking oil worth around Rp 22 billion (US$2.40 million), and steered the tanker in the direction of Malaysia or Singapore. He said all crew members, including himself, were tied up.

Commander of the Navy's West Fleet Commodore Denny Novendy said the piracy attempt was foiled after the Navy deployed six of its warships.

"The warships intentionally hit the tanker to give the pirates a fright. With only one shot fired by the pirates, the Navy managed to overpower them without causing any casualties," Denny said.

He said the group of pirates was led by Hussen, whose headquarters is in Palembang. He added the group was equipped with a 200 horsepower speedboat and a number of pistols and sharp weapons.

"We're now investigating the piracy attempt, to uncover who the mastermind(s) are behind it. The Navy will thoroughly investigate it," he said.

Head of the Navy's information section, Col. Iskandar Sitompoel, said the attack was the first piracy attempt foiled by the Navy this year, despite the relatively high frequency of piracy incidents.

"However, the Navy has expressed confidence in maintaining security in the Malacca Strait and cooperation with its counterparts from Singapore and Malaysia," Iskandar said.

Setiono, one of the captured pirates, said the 14 pirates in the group consisted of members from four groups with various skills, who were reportedly recruited by a Palembang resident identified as Zulkifli, 50.

Setiono admitted to have been assigned to drive the tanker into Malaysian waters. The pirates were promised Rp 150 million each if they managed to steer the tanker to Malaysia, he said.

"Our group was equipped with a satellite telephone facility in order to report once the tanker had entered Malaysian waters. This is my first experience with piracy," said Setiono, a freelance captain who claimed to hail from Surabaya.

Other pirates in charge of taking over the tanker were M. Teguh and Hussen, who later disclosed the piracy attempt had been planned for one month under orders from Zulkifli.

"The authorities need to capture Zulkifli, who employed us. He is the mastermind behind this piracy attempt," Teguh said.