ID :
18076
Thu, 09/04/2008 - 18:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/18076
The shortlink copeid
RMN SENDS ANOTHER SHIP TO PROTECT MISC VESSELS
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Another vessel will be despatched to the Gulf of Aden, located between Yemen and Somalia, to protect the five MISC Bhd ships sailing in those waters.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also Defence
Minister, said Thursday the offshore patrol vessel, KD Pahang, was now preparing
to set sail for the operation area.
"This vessel is in addition to the two ships already sent to the operation
area on a mission to protect MISC ships and not to rescue the hostages," he told
reporters after presenting Aidilfitri goodies to the Malaysian Armed Forces
here.
The Royal Malaysian Navy had earlier sent two warships, the KD Lekiu
and KD
Inderapura, for the same purpose, he said when asked for the latest development
in the hijacking of two MISC ships by pirates in the gulf on Aug 19 and
29.
The two warships were now in the Maldives and would proceed to the gulf at
any time, he said.
Asked whether Malaysia would inform the United Nations about sending the
additional ship, he said there was no need to because he would taouch on it in
his speech at the UN General Assembly at the end of the month.
The two hijacked ships -- the Bunga Melati Dua and Bunga Melati 5 -- with
65
crew members on board are being held by the gulf waters by the pirates.
Asked on the condition of the hostages, Najib said they were all safe and
the government and the shipping company were in constant contact with the
pirates.
On the RM3 million ranson demanded by the pirates for the release of the
crew members, he said it had not been decided and the decision was up to the
parties involved in the negotiations.
When asked if Malaysia would consider introducing a universal jurisdiction
law to enable Malaysia to bring to trial those who endanger the lives of
Malaysians, including by kidnapping, Najib said the government would have to
consider the practicality of such a move.
"I'm not sure of the legal aspect, but these people are not law-abiding
people...we have to consider the practicality of doing so," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also Defence
Minister, said Thursday the offshore patrol vessel, KD Pahang, was now preparing
to set sail for the operation area.
"This vessel is in addition to the two ships already sent to the operation
area on a mission to protect MISC ships and not to rescue the hostages," he told
reporters after presenting Aidilfitri goodies to the Malaysian Armed Forces
here.
The Royal Malaysian Navy had earlier sent two warships, the KD Lekiu
and KD
Inderapura, for the same purpose, he said when asked for the latest development
in the hijacking of two MISC ships by pirates in the gulf on Aug 19 and
29.
The two warships were now in the Maldives and would proceed to the gulf at
any time, he said.
Asked whether Malaysia would inform the United Nations about sending the
additional ship, he said there was no need to because he would taouch on it in
his speech at the UN General Assembly at the end of the month.
The two hijacked ships -- the Bunga Melati Dua and Bunga Melati 5 -- with
65
crew members on board are being held by the gulf waters by the pirates.
Asked on the condition of the hostages, Najib said they were all safe and
the government and the shipping company were in constant contact with the
pirates.
On the RM3 million ranson demanded by the pirates for the release of the
crew members, he said it had not been decided and the decision was up to the
parties involved in the negotiations.
When asked if Malaysia would consider introducing a universal jurisdiction
law to enable Malaysia to bring to trial those who endanger the lives of
Malaysians, including by kidnapping, Najib said the government would have to
consider the practicality of such a move.
"I'm not sure of the legal aspect, but these people are not law-abiding
people...we have to consider the practicality of doing so," he said.
