Muladi urges fair trial for 12 alleged hijackers

Muladi urges fair trial for 12 alleged hijackers

JAKARTA (JP): The government called on the Chinese government
yesterday to prosecute Indonesians arrested on suspicion of
hijacking a Malaysian-flagged oil tanker, through a fair and
impartial trial.

Minister of Justice Muladi was quoted by Antara as saying here
yesterday that the 12 Indonesians could not be prosecuted here as
there was no extradition treaty between the two countries.

Meanwhile, AP reported from Beijing that China had allowed the
Australian captain of the hijacked tanker to meet with Australian
envoys, but gave no indication when he and his 20-member crew
would be allowed to leave.

Capt. Kenneth Blyth met with Australian diplomats Tuesday and
yesterday, more than a week after authorities intercepted the
Petro Ranger and escorted it to the southern China port of Haikou
and detained the Indonesians.

The vessel, loaded with diesel fuel and kerosene, had been
missing since April 17, the day after it set sail from Singapore
to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City.

Chinese authorities intercepted the Petro Ranger on April 26
off its southern coast.

Blyth was in good spirits and had "no concerns for his
personal safety", an official of the Australian Consulate in the
southern city of Guangzhou said.

The Australian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
did not know why contact had not been allowed earlier.

Petroships, the Singapore-based agent for the vessel, said
they had not been allowed to talk to Blyth.

Li Xiuling, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan,
said Blyth and his crew were free to go ashore with the
permission of local officials, but they were not allowed to leave
China until the investigation was complete.

Li said Chinese investigators did not know how the
Indonesians, who have not been charged, got aboard the Petro
Ranger.

Blyth and his 20-member multinational crew have accused the
Indonesians of seizing control of the ship at gunpoint and
sailing it to China, according to Li.

The Australian diplomat downplayed an Australian newspaper
report that quoted Blyth as saying he was being held prisoner.

The diplomat said Blyth did not voice concern over his safety
or complain about the investigation in meetings or telephone
conversations with Australian officials.