One Indonesian crewmember has been shot by the hijackers of the MT Orkim Harmony tanker, an official has said.

Tanjung Pinang Main Naval Base commander First Admiral Sulistiyanto told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the Malaysian Navy had informed him of the shooting.

'€œThe ship is now under the guard of the Malaysian Navy and is heading to Kuantan, Malaysia. However, one of the Indonesian crew has been badly injured in the thigh after being shot by the hijackers,'€ he said.

Sulistiyanto could not reveal the name of the crewmember, who worked as a chef on the ship, but said the wounded man would be admitted to hospital for an operation to remove the bullet as soon as possible.

Sulistiyanto added that the Indonesian Navy had not received any information on the identities of the eight hijackers, who according to media reports spoke Indonesian.

The tanker, which was carrying 5,000 tons of fuel worth RM21 million (74.9 billion rupiah), belonging to Petronas, left Mallacca on Thursday and was to arrive at Kuantan Post at 10.30 a.m. the next day, but communication was lost at about 8.45 p.m.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was notified almost 10 hours later that the vessel was missing. (ika)(+++)

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