Vietnamese authorities detain Mt Orkim Harmony suspects

MMEA deputy director-general (Operations) vice-admiral Maritime Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said they were detained near Tho Chu Island, south Vietnam while trying to flee from the authorities.

"They are now being questioned by the Vietnamese authorities," he told a media conference on the latest development on MT Orkim Harmony here today.

Chief of Navy admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar in his twitter downloaded the pictures of eight men suspected to be connected with the MT Orkim Harmony case.

"The 8 Indonesians found at Tho Chu Island on 19 un at 0630. We are awaiting confirmation from the authority," said Abdul Aziz in his tweet that downloaded the pictures.

Ahmad Puzi said MMEA had contacted the Vietnamese authorities to get cooperation to bring the suspects to Malaysia.

He said MMEA had not receive any confirmation from the authorities in Vietnam om the nationalities of the suspects involved and weapons used during the hijack.

READ: Orkim Harmony: Najib relieved, expresses thanks Orkim Harmony: Are these the guys? Hijackers slipped away after warning ships to stay five nautical miles - Navy chief

"Through past experience, when they know they are defeated, weapons they owned are thrown away. At the moment, we give room to Vietnam to conduct investigation", he said.

To ensure that criminals involved did not escape from legal action, MMEA would record the conversation of the 22 crew members and conduct forensic investigation on the vessel as soon as they landed in Kuantan.

He also said the Indonesian crew Mavit Matin, 46, who worked as a cook and was shot in his left thigh only sustained light injuries and did not require surgery.

Asked on criticisms by certain quarters that the lack of effective surveillance had caused the hijackers to escape, Ahmad Puzi said in such a situation the safety of the crew was more important.

"The vessel was bringing easily flammable fuel...of course we place the (crew) safety as top priority. This case is conclusive so the second phase that we must conduct is legal action," he said.

All 22 MT Orkim Harmony crew were freed at about 2.30 am today following negotiation by the Malaysian authorities with the criminals.

The MT Orkim Harmony was carrying 6,000 metric ton of RON95 petrol worth RM21 million, when it was reported missing at 8.57 pm on June 11 while on it was en route from Melaka to the Kuantan Port in Pahang.