The application for the extradition and trial of eight Indonesian nationals allegedly involved in the hijacking of Malaysian oil tanker MT Orkim Harmony last year has been approved by a court in Vietnam.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said at present the government was awaiting decision of its appeal for the case in Vietnam.

“This new development is a huge success in maritime enforcement since Malaysia and Vietnam did not have any extradition agreement,” he said when opening the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) 17th Maritime District Building Office here yesterday.

His text of speech was read by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

The oil tanker was hijacked east of Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi, Johor on June 11, 2015 with 22 crew members comprising 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and a Myanmar onboard.

The eight suspected Indonesian hijackers were arrested by the Vietnam authorities near Tho Chu Island, southern Vietnam.

Shahidan said the Vietnamese court’s decision was made possible due to the determination of all quarters involved, be it the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Foreign Ministry and MMEA, to have the suspects to be extradited for trial in Malaysia as the incident occurred on Malaysian waters and involved a Malaysian oil tanker. — Bernama

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by The Borneo Post

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