Police take over investigation on Somali pirates

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31(Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has taken over investigation into the case of the seven Somali pirates who were detained by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) while attempting to rob a Malaysian ship in the Gulf of Aden on Jan 20.
Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said police would open the
investigation papers on the case and would question all the detainees and the ATM members involved.
"This is a normal procedure in any investigations. We will record their statements to facilitate our investigation," he told reporters after opening the Kuala Lumpur police contingent media centre here Monday.
Ismail said the police would apply for a remand order from a magistrate Monday to detain the pirates to facilitate the investigation.
The seven Somalian pirates arrived at Port Klang's Liquid Bulk Terminal at 9.15am Monday and were taken to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang for a medical check-up. They are now detained at the Bukit Jalil Detention Centre.
In the incident, Malaysian naval commandos rescued the ship, MT Bunga Laurelwith 23 crew onboard, from the Somali pirates who were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and pistols about 333 nautical miles (555km) east of Oman.
The rescue mission, codenamed "Operasi Fajar" was carried out together with the Royal Malaysian Navy's auxiliary ship, Bunga Mas 5.
The commandos overpowered the pirates after a gun battle that left three of the pirates injured.