LABIS: The Defence Ministry is ready to deploy another navy ship to protect Malaysian merchant ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

“We can add another ship, as long as the MISC (Malaysian International Shipping Corporation) agrees to bear its operating costs,” said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here yesterday.

He was commenting on the navy’s rescue of MT Bunga Laurel crew members from pirates on Thursday.
The success (of the rescue operation), he said, demonstrated the navy’s ability to protect merchant ships from pirates in the gulf.

The minister said he received many calls from his counterparts congratulating the navy on its achievement.

Bunga Laurel is a tanker hired by the MISC to ferry lubricating oil and ethylene dichloride from the Middle East to Singapore.

The navy’s Fennec attack helicopter launched from Bunga Mas 5 was also involved in the operation by providing reconnaissance and top cover.

Three pirates sustained injuries in the incident and were treated onboard Bunga Mas 5. — Bernama