Two Sulsel residents held hostage by Somali pirates, provincial government acts swiftly

Gowa (ANTARA) - The South Sulawesi provincial government has responded quickly to news of two residents of the province who became victims of the hijacking of the tanker ship Honour 25 by Somali pirates in international waters since 21 April 2026.

“We have connected the victims’ families with the Ministry of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are continuously monitoring developments,” said South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman in Makassar on Tuesday.

The two crew members are Ashari Samadikun, the ship’s captain from Gowa Regency, and Faizal, serving as third mate from Bulukumba Regency.

The Governor also assigned the Head of the South Sulawesi Manpower and Transmigration Office, Jayadi Nas, to visit the victims’ families in Moncongloe Hamlet, Paccellekang Village, Pattalassang Subdistrict, Gowa Regency, as a form of support and coordination.

“We have visited the victims’ families and connected them with the ministries, including the Deputy Minister of P2MI, to obtain the latest information,” he said.

He added that, based on the latest communication, the victims’ conditions were reported to be safe, although the situation at the hijacking location remains uncertain.

The central government, he continued, is continuously working to secure the victims’ release through diplomatic channels involving relevant authorities in the waters’ area.

“We ensure that the government is present and continues to coordinate with relevant parties so that the victims can be released safely as soon as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ship’s captain’s wife, Santi Sanaya, admitted to having communicated with her husband before the situation worsened.

She mentioned that her husband reported negotiation attempts between the crew and the pirates, but communication was hindered by language barriers.

“My husband asked not to be contacted again because he was worried his phone would be used by the pirates,” she said.

“The situation is uncertain, sometimes tense. My husband was also threatened with a weapon,” she said.

She added that a total of 17 crew members were hijacked, including four Indonesian nationals, two of whom are from South Sulawesi.

This mother of two hopes her husband and all the crew can be released soon and return safely.