Myanmar nationals named suspects

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

Two Myanmar nationals and an Indonesian have been named suspects for hoarding diesel in a tanker ship, a top police officer in Ambon said on Saturday.

The three were declared suspects after police investigators questioned witness, including other Layar Samudera ship crew and employees with state oil and gas company PT Pertamina.

The ship flying the Indonesian flag was hired by Pertamina to distribute diesel to depots around Maluku.

The police have questioned nine people in the case, including the three suspects.

They were identified only by their initials: AHK, the ship captain, TK, both Myanmar nationals and AS, an Indonesian.

Ambon Police chief Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan said police were tipped off about the hoarding by a member of the crew who reported he saw a large amount of fuel stored in a tank inside the ship's hold.

The police followed up the lead and checked the tanker when it was docked at an Ambon seaport.

The search revealed 57 tons of undocumented diesel in the ship's hold.

A certificate issued by a Pertamina official in Jayapura stated the ship was carrying no fuel cargo.

Police said they suspected the fuel would be sold to fishermen in outlying areas at higher than regulated prices.

Diesel is becoming increasingly popular among fishermen in the area.