Officials now say Malaysian oil tanker was NOT seized – but taken to Indonesia by its crew in an ‘internal dispute’
Tanker carrying more than 900,000 litres of diesel is believed to have been taken to the waters around Batam
A MALAYSIAN oil tanker carrying more than 900,000 litres of diesel has been taken to Indonesia by its own crew - contrary to initial concerns it had been hijacked.
The MT Vier Harmoni was at first reported to have been hijacked while travelling through the waters around Kunatan port on Monday but it has since been revealed the tanker's change of course was due to an "internal management problem".
Indonesian Navy spokesman Edi Sucipto said the confusion around the tanker was due to an "internal management problem".
Malaysian authorities have also confirmed the incident was sparked by an "internal dispute".
The Malaysian Maritime Authority said the marine tanker, which was carrying about RM$1.57 million - about £300,000 - was lost contact with about 5pm on August 16.
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The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar tweeted about the tanker's disappearance, sharing a photo in an effort to find the tanker.
It is unclear whether the tanker and its crew will return to Malaysia and what will happen to the expensive cargo.
Investigations are ongoing.
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