AG TO DECIDE ON SOMALI PIRATES AFTER LOOKING INTO INVESTIGATION PAPERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said he
will decide on the next course of action on seven pirates detained by the
Malaysian Armed Forces in the Gulf of Aden on Jan 20 after being briefed his
officers on the initial investigation papers which were handed over to them by
the police Wednesday.

Abdul Gani said only after looking into the papers could he decide whether to
charge all of them or further investigation was warranted.

"At this momement I just can confirm that investigation papers have been
received by my officers and we need to study them," stressed Abdul Gani when met
at the Jalan Duta Court Complex here.

On Jan 31, police obtained an order to remand the seven seven days and the order
was extended to six more days from Feb 6.

Previously, Abdul Gani was qouted saying that the cases of the Somalis would be
treated like any other criminal case, whereby the due process had to be
followed.

On Jan 20, Malaysian naval commandos rescued the Malaysian ship MT Bunga Laurel
from the clutches of Somali pirates 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 by 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.
-- BERNAMA