Hostage Captain’s Family Urges Jakarta to Act in Somali Pirate Crisis
Gowa, South Sulawesi. The wife and parents of Ashari Samadikun, captain of the tanker Honour 25, appealed to the Indonesian government on Sunday to take immediate action after the vessel was seized by Somali pirates five days ago.
Ashari, 33, a sailor from Pattallassang District in Gowa Regency, is among the hostages being held by the pirates. He serves as captain of the UAE-flagged tanker Honour 25, which was sailing from Oman to Somalia on April 21 with 16 crew members on board.
His mother, Siti Aminah, clutched Ashari’s photograph as she broke down in tears while making a public plea through local media.
“He is the backbone of our family and has always cared deeply for his siblings and parents. I was devastated when I heard the news. I beg President Prabowo to help my son, who has been held by Somali pirates for several days,” she said at the family home in Gowa.
Ashari’s wife, Santi Sanaya, said the last time she spoke with her husband was through a WhatsApp voice message on April 21.
“On Tuesday night, my husband sent a voice message saying the ship was under attack by pirates. After that, it became very difficult to reach him,” she said.
The family said negotiations are reportedly ongoing between the shipping company and the pirates, but there has been no official confirmation regarding the outcome of the talks.
“We were told the situation on board keeps changing. If the pirates feel threatened, the crew’s safety is also at risk,” Santi added.
Although the sailors were working on a foreign-flagged vessel, the family hopes the Indonesian government will still provide protection for its citizens overseas. Besides Ashari, three other Indonesians are among the crew members.
“Our whole family hopes the government can help so that my husband and the other crew members can return home safely,” she said.
Of the 17 crew members taken hostage, four are Indonesian nationals. Two are from South Sulawesi: Ashari Samadikun from Gowa Regency and Adi Faizal from Bulukumba Regency. The other two are Wahudinanto from Pemalang, Central Java, and Fiki Mutakin from Bogor, West Java.
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