BUNGA MELATI LIMA FREED

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- One of the two Malaysian International
Shipping Corporation (MISC) tankers hijacked in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates has been freed, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Sunday.

"All its crew members have been released and the vessel is now heading to
Djibouti (East Africa). The crew members are all in good health.

"A medical team from the Defence Ministry comprising of doctors,
medical assistants and counsellors are providing assistance to the crew," he
said after having his Aidilfitri message recorded at his official residence,
Seri Perdana, here.

Abdullah, who is also Defence Minister, said negotiations to secure the
release of the other tanker, the MT Bunga Melati Dua, and its crew members were
ongoing.

"The negotiations are showing positive signs. It is our hope that the
release of the hostages and tanker can be secured soon.

"I wish to remind the family members to remain calm. We will do all we
can
to ensure they return home safely," he said.

The MT Bunga Melati Dua, with a crew of 39 -- 29 Malaysian and the rest
Filipinos -- was hijacked in the gulf, where rampant maritime piracy is taking
place, on Aug 19.

One of the Filipino crew was killed when hit by a stray
bullet.

Ten days later, the MT Bunga Melati Lima, with 36 Malaysian and five
Filipino crew encountered the same fate while sailing from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
to Singapore.

Malaysia sent two warships, the KD Lekiu and KD Inderapura, and an offshore
patrol vessel, the KD Pahang to escort MISC ships sailing in the risky waters
following the two hijacking incidents.

-- BERNAMA