Somali Pirates Agree to Ransom

Tuesday, 19 April, 2011 |TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta

Coordinating Minister for Political, Justice, and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said the negotiation between the owners of MV Sinar Kudus boat, PT Samudera Indonesia, and Somali pirates has reached an agreement concerning the amount of ransom to release 20 boat crew. “We just need to agree on the release mechanism,” said Djoko.


Before attending a meeting led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Bogor Palace yesterday, Djoko said the boat owners have made intensive communication with the pirates, but he refused to mention the ransom amount.


Djoko denied criticism the government had chosen a weak option to save Indonesian citizens. “Our main priority is safety, according to the President’s instruction. Any other options must be taken with great calculation,” he said.


The pirates have reportedly promised to free all hostages after they receive the ransom. Muhammad Sala, one of the pirates, as quoted by The Philippine Star, said the crew was safe. “We demand a ransom of US$3 million,” he said.


Concerning the long process to release the hostages, members of the Indonesian Sailor Association (KPI) demonstrated in front of PT Samudera Indonesia, in West Jakarta, yesterday. "We want Samudera Indonesia to be responsible," said Toni, the rally coordinator.


They insisted the company free the crew over the next 10 days. “We received information from the boat captain Slamet Johari that14 crew members are in critical conditions. They were maltreated and had to drink dirty water containing rust,” said Sylvester Hutahuruk, KPI chief. Slamet Riyadi, a crew member, reportedly requires immediate medical treatment.


The demonstrators criticized the agreement between the company and the pirates mentioning the deadline to release the hostages was at the end of June. “That’s too long,” said Hutahuruk.