Missing tanker found off Indonesia; cargo stolen

Putrajaya

SINGAPORE-REGISTERED MT Joaquim which went missing in Selangor waters on Saturday night has been found some 14 nautical miles east of Pulau Rupat, Indonesia, the New Straits Times reported. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deputy director-general (operations) Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said the oil tanker was transporting 3,500 tonnes of fuel oil worth US$700,000.

MT Joaquim was sailing from Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia, to Langkawi Island when it went off the radar at 9.35 pm. "A total of 15 ships, nine boats and four aircraft were immediately deployed to the search area at Malacca Straits, including assets from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia," the report said.