Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR868
2008-09-30 08:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
SOMALI PIRATES RELEASE HIJACKED MALAYSIAN SHIPS
how-toVZCZCXRO4684 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0868 2740811 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 300811Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1722 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000868
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MY
SUBJECT: SOMALI PIRATES RELEASE HIJACKED MALAYSIAN SHIPS
FOLLOWING RANSOM
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000868
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MY
SUBJECT: SOMALI PIRATES RELEASE HIJACKED MALAYSIAN SHIPS
FOLLOWING RANSOM
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) Somali pirates released two hijacked Malaysian
tankers on September 27, following the payment of a
multi-million dollar ransom by the Malaysian government. The
exact amount of the paid ransom is unknown due to conflicting
reports, but it is in the range of $2-3 million. The U.S.
assisted Malaysia with information during this ordeal. One
Malaysian warship remains in the Gulf of Aden and two more
are resupplying in Djibouti prior to returning to Malaysia.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim raised concerns over
piracy during his recent address at the UN General Assembly.
End Summary.
THE STATUS OF THE SHIPS
--------------
2. (SBU) Two Malaysian shipping vessels, the Bunga Melati II
and the Bunga Melta V, were hijacked by Somali pirates in the
Gulf of Aden on August 19 and 25, respectively. The two
ships were both palm oil tankers with a combined crew of 65
Malays and 15 Filipinos. Following negotiations with the
Malaysian government, the pirates received a ransom in the
range of $2-$3 million, after which they released the
vessels. One of the Filipino crewmembers was killed during
the initial hijacking, but the other 79 crewmembers are
reported to be unharmed. The two ships are now en route to
Djibouti, where they are expected to swap out crews,
resupply, and continue to their original destinations of
Rotterdam and Singapore. The hijacked crews were expected to
fly back to Malaysia as early as September 29. The U.S.
shared intelligence with the Malaysian government, but
otherwise provided no assistance during the two hijackings.
3. (SBU) The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) currently has three
ships in the Gulf of Aden. Two of the RMN vessels, the Leiku
and the Inderapura, are escorting the Bunga Melati II and
Bunga Melati V to Djibouti, after which they will return to
Malaysia. The third ship, the Mahawangsa, remains in the
Gulf of Aden with the purpose of escorting Malaysian ships.
MALAYSIA HIGHLIGHTS PIRACY AT UNGA
--------------
4. (SBU) On the political front, Malaysian Foreign Minister
Rais Yatim mentioned the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden
during his recent address to the United Nations General
Assembly. Rais stated, "My delegation also calls on States,
particularly the littoral States in that region, to provide
the necessary means to ensure the security of navigation in
their waters." Rais also stated "My delegation stands ready
to work closely with other States, which share the same
predicament. We urge the Security Council to immediately
address this problem in an effective manner." (Comment:
Rais' remarks on littoral states' responsibilities reflect
Malaysia's own approach to the Straits of Malacca. End
Comment.)
KEITH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MY
SUBJECT: SOMALI PIRATES RELEASE HIJACKED MALAYSIAN SHIPS
FOLLOWING RANSOM
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) Somali pirates released two hijacked Malaysian
tankers on September 27, following the payment of a
multi-million dollar ransom by the Malaysian government. The
exact amount of the paid ransom is unknown due to conflicting
reports, but it is in the range of $2-3 million. The U.S.
assisted Malaysia with information during this ordeal. One
Malaysian warship remains in the Gulf of Aden and two more
are resupplying in Djibouti prior to returning to Malaysia.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim raised concerns over
piracy during his recent address at the UN General Assembly.
End Summary.
THE STATUS OF THE SHIPS
--------------
2. (SBU) Two Malaysian shipping vessels, the Bunga Melati II
and the Bunga Melta V, were hijacked by Somali pirates in the
Gulf of Aden on August 19 and 25, respectively. The two
ships were both palm oil tankers with a combined crew of 65
Malays and 15 Filipinos. Following negotiations with the
Malaysian government, the pirates received a ransom in the
range of $2-$3 million, after which they released the
vessels. One of the Filipino crewmembers was killed during
the initial hijacking, but the other 79 crewmembers are
reported to be unharmed. The two ships are now en route to
Djibouti, where they are expected to swap out crews,
resupply, and continue to their original destinations of
Rotterdam and Singapore. The hijacked crews were expected to
fly back to Malaysia as early as September 29. The U.S.
shared intelligence with the Malaysian government, but
otherwise provided no assistance during the two hijackings.
3. (SBU) The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) currently has three
ships in the Gulf of Aden. Two of the RMN vessels, the Leiku
and the Inderapura, are escorting the Bunga Melati II and
Bunga Melati V to Djibouti, after which they will return to
Malaysia. The third ship, the Mahawangsa, remains in the
Gulf of Aden with the purpose of escorting Malaysian ships.
MALAYSIA HIGHLIGHTS PIRACY AT UNGA
--------------
4. (SBU) On the political front, Malaysian Foreign Minister
Rais Yatim mentioned the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden
during his recent address to the United Nations General
Assembly. Rais stated, "My delegation also calls on States,
particularly the littoral States in that region, to provide
the necessary means to ensure the security of navigation in
their waters." Rais also stated "My delegation stands ready
to work closely with other States, which share the same
predicament. We urge the Security Council to immediately
address this problem in an effective manner." (Comment:
Rais' remarks on littoral states' responsibilities reflect
Malaysia's own approach to the Straits of Malacca. End
Comment.)
KEITH