"Both persons are Indonesian citizens who work legally in Malaysia, but there is no immediate information about the kidnappers` identity," foreign ministry`s spokesmen Arrmanatha disclosed.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Foreign Ministry has urged the countrys ship crew in the waters of Sabah, Malaysia not to go fishing until condition turns conducive after abduction of two ship crew members in the area.
The two Indonesian ship crew members who were abducted were identified as La Utu bin La Raali, crew of SSK 00520F boat and La Hadi bin La Adi as crew of SN 1154/4F boat, according to foreign ministrys spokesmen Arrmanatha Nasir here on Sunday, adding that the two fishermen hailing from Buton District, South East Sulawesi.
"Both persons are Indonesian citizens who work legally in Malaysia, but there is no immediate information about the kidnappers identity," Arrmanatha disclosed.
Abduction of the two fishermen occurred at about 11.00 a.m. local time when they were fishing in the reef area of Pengarus Perairan Kertam around 13 to 15 nautical miles from the estuary of Kuala Kinabatangan Negeri Sabah, Malaysia.
Reports received by the Indonesian Consulate staff in Tawau, Malaysia, Johan Mulyadi said, a gray colored speedboat manned by four to five persons approaching the two ships where both Indonesians were on duty.
The abductors carrying rifles robbed the ships and kidnapped the two persons (skippers) of the two ship.
The abductors were then seen heading towards the region of Tawi-Tawi, in South Philippines.
Meanwhile, other six citizens were safe from the abduction.
The Indonesian government has expressed concern to the government of Malaysia regarding the situation in Sabah waters, given that around 6,000 Indonesian citizens are working on fishing vessels in the Malaysian region.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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