JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has widened search for a Malaysian-registered tanker that went missing since June 11.
MMEA Southern Region operations director First Admiral Ibrahim Mohamed said MT Orkim Harmony, which was carrying 6,000 metric tonnes of RON95 petrol, went off radar at 8.50pm.
"The vessel was travelling from Malacca to the Kuantan Port. The last location we have of the vessel before we lost contact with it was at 30 nautical miles east of Tanjung Sedili.
"The vessel has 22 crew members on board comprising 16 locals, five Indonesians and one Myanmar national," Ibrahim said, adding that the ship owner had lodged a report about the missing vessel on June 12 at 6.30am.
Ibrahim said three MMEA boats and a helicopter were involved in the search operation, which covers an area of 20,000 square metres.
"The search is in the territorial waters as well as in neighbouring countries. We have informed the Singapore Police Coast Guard (PCG) and the National SAR Agency (BASARNAS) and Republik Indonesia Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA RI) in Indonesia to help locate the ship.
"We have also sought the assistance of other ships to help us detect it," he said, adding that MMEA Sabah and Sarawak will also monitor the waters there.