Jakarta (WDN) — The family of Ashari Samadikun, captain of the oil tanker Honour 25, has issued an urgent appeal to the Indonesian government following his reported abduction by Somali pirates along with 15 other crew members in a maritime hijacking that has now entered its fifth day.
Ashari, 33, from Pattallassang District in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, was commanding a UAE-owned tanker traveling from Oman en route to Somalia when it was seized on 21 April in a suspected piracy attack. The vessel was carrying a total of 16 crew members at the time of the incident.
The hijacking has sent shockwaves through the families of the crew, particularly in Indonesia, where relatives are now living through days of uncertainty and fear as negotiations reportedly continue behind the scenes.
At the family home in Gowa, Ashari’s mother, Siti Aminah, was overcome with grief as she clutched a photograph of her son, making an emotional and desperate appeal for his safe return. She described him as the pillar of the family and urged authorities to act swiftly before the situation deteriorates further.
His wife, Santi Sanaya, said she last spoke to him on 21 April, shortly before the vessel was seized. She recalled receiving a brief voice message in which he reported that the ship had come under attack, after which all communication was lost.
According to family members, informal negotiations are currently underway between the shipping company and the attackers. However, there has been no verified confirmation of progress, and the lack of official updates has deepened anxiety among relatives.
Concerns are also mounting over the safety conditions aboard the vessel, with families warning that the situation could worsen if diplomatic and security efforts are delayed. They have urged both the Indonesian authorities and international partners to prioritize the protection and safe release of the crew.
Among those held are four Indonesian nationals: Ashari Samadikun, Adi Faizal from Bulukumba, Wahudinanto from Pemalang, and Fiki Mutakin from Bogor, alongside crew members of other nationalities.
The incident highlights the continued vulnerability of commercial shipping routes near the Horn of Africa, where piracy remains a persistent threat despite years of international naval operations aimed at curbing attacks.
For the families, however, the geopolitical context offers little comfort. Their focus remains fixed on one demand: immediate action to bring their loved ones home safely, before negotiations or time run out.
WardheerNews