The Foreign Ministry must be active in releasing Indonesian crew members (aboard the tanker) seized by Iran
Jakarta (ANTARA) - House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Chairman Azis Syamsuddin urged the Foreign Ministry to adopt a proactive approach in releasing two Indonesians aboard a South Korea-registered chemical tanker seized by Iran in the Strait of Harmuz.

"The Foreign Ministry must be active in releasing Indonesian crew members (aboard the tanker) seized by Iran. It must intensify all communication networks to handle their condition, provide them mentorship, and free them as far as we can," Syamsuddin noted in a written statement released on Thursday.

The DPR deputy chairman made the remarks after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards reportedly seized a South-Korea-registered tanker, Hankuk Chemi, along with its crew members, including two Indonesians, while sailing in the Persian Bay and Hormuz Strait.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran should be proactive and accord priority to the release of the two Indonesian citizens.

"Just like other Indonesians, they have the right to legal assistance and mentorship for their immediate release and return to Indonesia," he remarked.

Indonesia sent diplomatic notes to Iran in pursuit of a clarification on its two nationals working for the South Korea-registered oil tanker.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran contacted and coordinated with several parties to handle the case, the embassy noted in a written statement released on Wednesday.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Tehran has sent diplomatic notes to the Iranian Foreign Ministry to seek clarification over the two Indonesian crew members as well as to gain consular access and hold communication with both of them," the embassy stated.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that its officials had visited MT Hankook Chemi and confirmed that all its crew members, including two Indonesians, were in good health.

Reuters quoted Iranian news agency Tasnim as saying on Monday (Jan 4) that crew members of the South Korea-registered tanker, seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day, are held in custody at the Iran port city of Bandar Abbas.

The crew members are from South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Reuters quoted Tasnim as saying that Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards seized the tanker for allegedly being causal to chemical pollution in the bay.

The South Korean government confirmed that the tanker, laden with chemicals, was seized and called for the immediate release of the crew members.

On Tuesday, Iran denied using the South Korean tanker and its crew members as hostage in connection with the US$7-billion fund frozen by South Korea over the US sanction.

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Translator: Imam Budilaksono/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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