TALKS TO FREE MISC CREW GOING SMOOTHLY

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Negotiations to secure the release of the crew of two Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC) vessels from the clutches of pirates in the Gulf of Aden are proceeding smoothly and showing positive signs, said National Security Council (NSC) secretary Muhammad Hatta Ab Aziz.

He said talks with the pirates were being handled fully by MISC staff.

"The Malaysian government is not involved in the negotiations but provides
guidance to MISC. The details of the negotiations cannot be revealed out of
concern for the safety of the crew," he told reporters at his office here
Thursday.

He said all 79 crew members including 65 Malaysians were safe and healthy
and their food supplies were sufficient.

"We hope the negotiations will bring positive results," Muhammad
Hatta said.

"We pray for the sailors to be released before Hari Raya (festival to mark
the end of fasting month/Ramadan)," he said.

On Aug 19, the first MISC vessel Bunga Melati 2 with a crew of 29
Malaysians and 10 Filipinos was hijacked by pirates and during the incident a
Filipino was killed by a stray bullet.

Ten days later a second vessel Bunga Melati 5 with 36 Malaysians and five
Filipinos was seized enroute from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia to Singapore.