It's a hoaxJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy denied an allegation that naval officers had demanded US$375 thousand to release a Panama-flagged fuel tanker ship, illegally anchored in the Indonesian waters off Singapore.
"We have investigated it. It is a hoax. The ship is now in Tanjung Pinang," Deputy Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Ahmadi Heri Purwono stated at the Navy Headquarters here on Friday.
Purwono noted that the First Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Arsyad Abdullah was sent to Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, to clarify the issue.
"The ship is still under investigation. If they have paid the bribes, then it (the ship) should have been released by now. We have sent the First Fleet Commander to clarify the issue," he remarked.
According to Purwono, the fake news could tarnish the image of the Indonesian Military, specifically the Indonesian Navy.
Related news: Indonesia seizes Iranian-Panamanian tankers suspected of violating law
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Indonesian Navy First Admiral Julius Widjojono confirmed that an investigation had been conducted into the allegation, and there was "no indication" of such a request.
Widjojono stressed that the Indonesian Navy had expedited the legal process against the Nord Joy tanker ship and imposed maximum sanction.
He also called on those who make the report to name the navy officials and report them to the Navy Headquarters.
"Otherwise, we will consider it as a slander and file a legal suit," he noted.
Related news: Govt mulling serious action against Panama, Iran tankers
Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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