Water police catch five pirates off Batam

BATAM: Police said Monday they had arrested five pirates operating in waters off Batam Island, in the Riau Islands province.

The suspects were accused of attacking an Indonesian-flagged MV Emma boat off Batam Island on July 14, 2009, local water police unit commander Adj. Sr, Comr. Yassin Kosasi told The Jakarta Post.

"We set up a joint team to capture the culprits. As a result of our investigation, we discovered seasoned pirates had committed the crime. We then arrested five of seven pirates," he said.

Yassin explained pirates on board a wooden boat robbed the MV Emma vessel while its crew were asleep at around 4:30 a.m. The armed suspects then seized the ship, he added.

"The suspects' actions resulted in maritime service users becoming reckless off Batam," Yassin said.

"This is the first case of piracy in Batam Island this year," he added. - JP