MT Orkim Harmony's RM21 million cargo intact

About 6,000 metric tonnes of RON95 fuel worth RM21 million carried by the MT Orkim Harmony is believed to be intact, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

MMEA deputy director-general (operations) Maritime Admiral Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said that it was confirmed by the oil-tanker's owner, called to identify the ship after it was found on Wednesday.

Based on the images captured by the P-3C Orion aircraft belonging to the Royal Australian Air Force, the vessel's owner confirmed the position of the fuel level of 6,000 tonnes of petrol, he said at a press conference here on Thursday.

He said once the vessel is taken over from the criminals, the owner has expressed a desire that the ship be brought to Kuantan, Pahang.

MT Orkim Harmony was reported missing at 8.57 pm last Thursday while sailing from Melaka to Kuantan Port, Pahang. The ship owned by Magna Meridian Sdn Bhd, was carrying 22 crew comprising 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and a Myanmar national.

Ahmad Puzi said the ship was recovered at 6pm on Thursday in the waters of the Gulf of Siam off Vietnam.

The tanker is suspected to be hijacked by seven to 12 criminals but based on the size of the ship more might be involved.

He said they were in the process of identifying the hijackers and their purpose in hijacking the tanker laden with petrol and carrying 22 crew members.

Ahmad Puzi said that if their purpose was to sell the fuel or to extort money, the criminals would have immediately transfered the stolen fuel to another ship or a buyer and demanded a ransom but so far nothing has happened.

The oil-tanker which had been repainted and renamed 'Kim Harmon' was found about 200 nautical miles from Kota Baharu, Kelantan.

Negotiations with the criminals, believed to be in possesion of light weapons, started at 12 pm in a 'good mood' and so far all crew members are believed to be safe.

The negotiation process is expected to take some time and carried out professionally by trained negotiators to ensure that the criminals disarm and surrender unconditionally.

To ensure that the oil tanker is always in the control of the security forces, Ahmad Puzi said a MMEA vessel, KM Amanah and the ship KD Terengganu, belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy have been deployed and are at a distance of 10 kilometres from the oil tanker.

To date, 16 ships and four aircraft with 1,200 officers and men have been involved in the search and rescue operation for the oil-tanker.