M'SIAN ARMED FORCES WILLING TO HELP INDONESIAN VESSEL SEIZED BY SOMALIA PIRATES

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) - The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) is
willing to help free an Indonesian merchant vessel seized by Somalia pirates on
March 16.

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Azizan Ariffin however said that the Indonesian
government has yet to request for help from Malaysia.

"If we happen to be there, then we can provide assistance as Malaysia is
part of the international forces.

"We cooperate in information exchange and execution of operation in the Gulf
of Aden," he said after witnessing the handing over of duty between Joint Forces
Command Chief, Vice-Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin and Vice-Admiral
Jamil Osman who took over as Royal Malaysian Navy Armada Chief.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman is the third PAB chief since the post was created
on July 16, 2007.

Jakarta Post newspaper reported that a vessel belonging to PT Samudera
Indonesia was hijacked by pirates off Somalia on March 16.

ATM has experience in dealing with piracy when the MISC tanker MT Bunga
Laurel with a crew of 23 was seized by Somalia pirates on Jan 21.

The Special Protection Force on board auxiliary vessel Bunga Mas 5 then
sprang into action and arrested seven Somalia pirates.