Japanese oil tanker robbed, three crew believed kidnapped in dramatic dawn raid

PETALING JAYA: Armed pirates raided a Japanese oil tanker carrying five million litres of diesel and abducted three crew members in the Straits of Malacca early Tuesday morning.

Port Klang Marine Police commander DSP Norzaid Muhammad Said said the ship, Naninwa Maru 1, was sailing 16 nautical miles off Pulau Ketam, on its way to Myanmar, when it was boarded by several armed men.

"The incident occurred at about 1am and it was only realised by the crew members when they saw about five or six men armed with a pistol and a parang aboard the ship.

"All of the victims were tied and locked in a room," he said.

Two tankers then approached the ship and three million litres of diesel were pumped out.

"They fled about five or six hours later," he said.

DSP Norzaid added that the crew managed to free themselves several hours after the incident and upon doing a headcount, they realised that three Indonesian crew members were missing.

"The crew members comprised Indonesian, Thai, Myanmar and Indian nationals. But the Indonesians were nowhere in sight.

"We suspect that they have been kidnapped by the suspects.

"The ship has now has been anchored and we are investigating the case," he said.