MMEA: Missing oil tanker probably hijacked for economic gains

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) believes the missing oil tanker, MT Orkim Harmony, transporting 5,879 metric tonnes of RON 95 petrol worth RM21 million might be hijacked by pirates and hidden at the Anambas or Natuna islands‎ located within Indonesia's waters.
MMEA vice-admiral deputy director-general (Operation) Datuk ‎Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said the analysis was based on the nature of the incident and its last known location near Pulau Tioman and the time it was reported missing by the oil tanker company.
"We believe it was hijacked for economic gains, not by terrorists," said Ahmad Puzi.
"We received an emergency call on the missing 106-metre long and 18.8-metre wide vessel about 6am on Friday, 10 hours after it went missing. Within 10 hours, we believe it could have sailed 150 nautical miles from its last known location," he said.
He said MMEA believes if the black and white oil tanker was heading north towards Thailand or Vietnam; east of Kota Kinabalu or Philippines; or south to Tanjung Periuk; authorities from neighboring countries would have spotted the vessel.
He confirmed that the tracking signal and communication equipment of the tanker, heading from Malacca to Kuantan could have been switched off‎ and hijacked by syndicates aiming to steal the petrol.
"We don't think the oil tanker can be transported undetected to Thailand or Kota Kinabalu. The irresponsible party can't transfer the petrol to other boats on open sea since it is not safe," he said, adding that if the vessel had sank, the MMEA would have detected it
"So far, there is no signs the vessel was facing any difficulties. The weather was also good," he added.
Until now, no ransom demand was received.
He added that the RON95 couldn't be transferred from one ship to another as it is highly flammable.
"There was no sign that the vessel was in trouble. It just lost contact," said Ahmad Puzi.
Ahmad Puzi also did not rule out the possibility of an inside job.
The search and rescue (SAR) operation was launched by the MMEA after they received the report and is has been widened to 50,000 sq km from 20,000 sq km before.
He said that MMEA had so far deployed some 1,500 personnel including at the ports, headquarters and at sea.
"We have also requested assistance from foreign counterparts including Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, America and Thailand.
"We also deployed all of our assets including aircraft and helicopters together with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN)," said Ahmad Puzi adding that the MMEA also communicated with Interpol to facilitate investigations.
There were 22 crewmen, aged between 20 and 62 years old, comprising 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and a Myanmar national.
The vessel had fuel and food supplies to sail for another 22 days.