NO DECISION YET ABOUT JOINING UN GULF OF ADEN ANTI-PIRACY FORCE, SAYS ATM CHIEF

KUCHING (Malaysia), Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has not taken a decision
whether to join a United Nations (UN) anti-piracy force in the Gulf of Aden,
said Defence Forces (ATM) Chief Gen Abdul Aziz Zainal.

Abdul Aziz said although Malaysia had sent three of its warships to escort
Malaysian commercial vessels sailing the waters, it did not mean that the
ATM was directly involved in any attempt to combat pirates in the Gulf of Aden,
located between Yemen and Somalia.

"We are not involved directly with other countries' security forces and
if France asks for our help, we will discuss it, but so far, no official
decision has been made," he told reporters after breaking fast with ATM
personnel at Penrissen Camp, here Monday.

On Sept 20, France tabled a draft resolution at the UN Security Council
meeting urging member countries to join forces in combating pirates in the area.

Commenting on the fate of Malaysian hostages on two hijacked vessels
belonging to the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC), Abdul Aziz
said negotiations were ongoing to secure their release from the pirates.

"We were informed by the National Security Council that all 65 crewmen are
safe and we hope with the negotiations, they can be released soon," he
said.

On Aug 19 and 29, two MISC vessels, MT Bunga Melati Dua and MT Bunga Melati
5 were hijacked resspectivelu by unknown pirates in area.

MT Bunga Melati Dua, with 39 crewmen of whom 29 were Malaysians and 10
Filipinos was heading to Rotterdam from Dumai, Indonesia while MT Bunga Melati
5 was heading to Singapore from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia with 36 Malaysian
crewmen when they were hijacked.