Foreign Ministry Confirms Four Indonesian Seafarers Hijacked in Somali Waters Are in Good Condition
JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) has confirmed that four Indonesian crew members (ABK) became victims in the hijacking of the MT Honour 25 ship in Somali waters and are in good condition.
“Based on the latest information obtained by the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi from Somali authorities, the Indonesian crew members on the ship are in good condition so far,” said Director of WNI Protection at Kemenlu, Heni Hamidah, at the Ministry’s office in Jakarta on Thursday (30/4/2026).
She stated that the government is also requesting strengthened coordination with relevant parties domestically, particularly in enhancing data on crew members working abroad, to prevent similar cases from recurring.
“Because this data collection is very important when something happens to the Indonesian crew members,” she said.
A week after the tanker hijacking incident in Somali waters, four Indonesian citizens (WNI) remain held hostage by pirates.
The Indonesian government continues to strive for coordination to ensure the safety of the victims.
In this incident, a seafarer from South Sulawesi, Captain Ashari Samadikun (33), is one of the hijacking victims.
Based on the manifest data obtained from the victim’s colleague, Eleora Kamaya Lekon (38), the ship sailing from Oman carried 17 crew members.
Of that number, four are Indonesians.
The four Indonesians are Ashari Samadikun (captain), Wahudinanto (chief officer), Adi Faizal (third officer), and Fiki Mutakin.
The other crew consist of 10 Pakistanis, as well as one each from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India.
Director of WNI Protection at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, said that the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi has been communicating with various related parties in Somalia since the incident occurred on Wednesday (22/4/2026).
“The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi continues to conduct intensive coordination with all related parties in Somalia,” said Heni, as reported by ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday (27/4/2026).
She stated that handling efforts are focused on cooperation with local authorities, community leaders, and other related parties.
These efforts are carried out to ensure the safety of the crew members (ABK), especially Indonesians.
Kemenlu also emphasised that it will continue to monitor developments closely through measured coordination to ensure the handling process runs optimally.