Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Chief Security Minister Djoko Suyanto said the government had communicated with Singapore`s Maritime Security Force regarding efforts to release MT Gemini ship hijacked by Somali pirates since Saturday, April 30, 2011.

"I have contacted the Maritime Security Force in Singapore. It happened by chance that its director is my old friend. Up to last night, they have not yet been able to communicate with Gemini ship," the minister said after opening a "Maritime Security Desktop Exercise and Law of the Sea Course" here on Tuesday.

He said that pirates would open communicate after they arrive in their headquarters such as the case of `Sinar Kudus` ship.

"They were hijacked in Kenya and taken to the north where the headquarters of the hijackers is located. The Maritime Security Force has not had any communications with the ship. Usually, they will open communications after they arrive at their headquarters," Djoko said.

He said that the Indonesian government through the Defense Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, continued to communicate with the Singapore government.

The Singapore-based Glory ship Management, owner of MT Gemini, said the ship was hijacked by the pirates on April 30 when it was sailing to the port town of Mombasa, Kenya.

It said that the MT Gemeni when it was hijacked was with crew members 13 from Indonesia, five from China, four from South Korea and three from Myanmar.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011