Malaysian Navy goes to aid of oil tanker plundered by pirates

A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) ship, KD Terengganu came to the assistance of an oil tanker, MT Oriental Glory which was plundered by pirates in the waters of east Johor in South China Sea yesterday.

A Defence Ministry statement this evening said the tanker carrying 2,500 metric tonnes of marine gas oil, was seized by pirates at 11.45 pm before being found early this morning.

According to the statement, a band of pirates had robbed the tanker's oil cargo and destroyed the ship's navigation equipment before leaving the vessel.

"KD Terengganu which was patrolling the waters of Batuan Tengah, Johor, swung into action upon receiving the information at 10.30 am. It arrived at the location two hours later and managed to contact MT Oriental Glory via radio," the statement said.

In this regard, KD Terengganu deputy investigator was informed that the tanker's anchor could not be hoisted as the anchor windlass had been damaged.

KD Terengganu was still trying to tug the ship to the shore as the vessel had been damaged in the incident, the statement said.

On June 14, KD Terengganu succeeded in saving oil tanker MT Ai Maru which was captured by pirates south of Pulau Aur, Mersing.

The Singapore registered ship, carrying marine gas oil was captured by pirates about 30 nautical miles south of Pulau Aur at about 8.30 am and was rescued at about 1.40 am on June 15.