Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Grab 8 Pirates Looting Ship
Eight pirates were arrested by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) while they were in the midst of robbing a ship off the coast of Tanjung Stapa in Pengerang, Malaysia.
MMEA (Southern Region) Maritime First Admiral Adon Shalan said the Indonesian pirates approached the ship [reports state as Merlion Dua] in a wooden boat.
“We believe that the robbers were hoping to get away with some valuables from the crewmen and steal oil from the ship,” he said during a press conference at the Stulang Laut Jetty here.
Adon said MMEA officials received information about the robbery attempt at around 2.30am yesterday and immediately sent their officials to the scene.
“As three of our boats approached the ship, a group of about 10 robbers who were still on board the wooden boat noticed us and sailed away.
“They, however, left eight of their accomplices on board the vessel,” he said, adding that the robbers were eventually discovered hiding in one of the cabins.
He said the suspects were aged between 23 and 46 and did not posses proper identification papers.
Adon said upon further checks, officials also found a parang on board the vessel.
“We believe that the suspects had also used several sharp objects and a gun to intimidate the crewmen but had thrown the objects overboard as soon as they saw our officials approaching,” he said.
He added that there were 12 crewmen, 11 from Myanmmar and one from Singapore, on board the vessel.
“Three of the crewmen were also found with injuries to their heads and hands and had difficulty breathing as they were beaten by the suspects,” he said, adding that victims had been sent to the Royal Malaysian Navy Hospital for treatment.
Adon said the case would be investigated under Section 391 of the Penal Code for gang robbery.
“All eight suspects are being held at the Southern MMEA headquarters and if convicted they face a maximum of 20 years' jail and whipping,” he said.
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Originally seen in The Star