Missing Malaysian oil tanker likely hijacked by pirates: Police

Kuala Lumpur

A Malaysian oil tanker that went missing last week carrying fuel worth 21 million ringgit ($5.6 million) and 22 crew members is believed to have been hijacked by pirates, marine police said yesterday.

MT Orkim Harmony, loaded with 7.5 million liters (2 million gallons) of gasoline belonging to national oil company Petronas, was headed to northern Kuantan when communications with it were lost late Thursday near Singapore.

Ahmad Puzi Abdul Kahar, deputy director-general of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, said there was a "high probability" that the tanker was taken by pirates, although no ransom demands have been received. The crew consists of 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and a Myanmar national.

He said the vessel didn't issue any distress call and all communications and tracking systems could have been turned off.

Ahmad Puzi said it would be more difficult to steal the gasoline because it is highly flammable and requires special safety equipment, adding the nearest such facilities were in Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Razak expressed his concern for Orkim Harmony and its crew.

"I am distressed by the news of a missing Malaysian-owned tanker. I pray for the safety of the 22-strong crew of which 16 are Malaysians. My thoughts are with their families. The Government will deploy our resources to locate it," he said.