KOTA BARU: Another family from Kelantan, whose son is among the 41 crew members onboard the hijacked Bunga Melati Lima, has expressed concern for his safety.

They said although the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) had given an assurance that the problem would end within 30 to 40 days, they were still worried for Muhd Nazri Mat Salleh and the other crew members.

Nazri's father, Mat Salleh Daud, said the family was informed of the incident by an MISC representative a day after the ship was hijacked on Aug 29.

"He then told us to attend a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Because we could not go there immediately, we sent Nazri's brother, Noraffendi, 32, as he is staying in Kuala Lumpur.

"At the meeting attended by relatives of kidnapped crew members, the MISC representative said the company was still negotiating with the pirates.
"The company asked us to be patient and promised the problem would be settled after 30 or 40 days," said the 59-year-old government pensioner at his house in Kampung Kerasak here yesterday.

Mat Salleh said the family was worried about 22-year-old Nazri as he was the youngest crew member and had little experience. "It is his second trip since he joined the company last year. He was so excited to work on the vessel and immediately agreed when offered the job after completing his studies at Institut Kemahiran Mara in Perlis."

The last time the family met Nazri was when he returned home last June.

"He was called to work before his leave ended. Before doing so, he told his sister, Norazrina, to take care of me and his mother."

Nazri's mother, Khadijah Yusof, 53, said he told her that he had two big plans when he returned in December; to buy a car and to get engaged to his girlfriend.