1st LD: Missing Malaysian tanker located, negotiations underway: officials

The missing Malaysian oil tanker has been located and negotiations were underway to secure the surrender of the hijackers, officials said Thursday.

The tanker was located by an Australian Air Force P-3 Orion surveillance plane on Wednesday, some 200 nautical miles from the Malaysian northern city of Kota Bharu, said Ahmad Puzi bin Ab Kahar, deputy chief of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

Malaysian Navy officials said the tanker had been detected off Cambodian waters.

The Orkim Harmony with 22 crewmen on board had gone missing off the east coast of the country's Johor state since June 11. It was carrying 6,000 metric tons of petrol worth some 21 million ringgit (5.6 million U.S. dollars).

Ahmad Puzi said authorities believe there are seven to 12 hijackers on board.

"They are armed with pistols and parangs. They speak with Indonesian accent," Malaysian Navy Chief Abdul Aziz said on his micro-blog.

The hijackers tried to alter the name on the hull of the ship, which seems to remain fully laden.

Ahmad Puzi told a press conference that two Malaysian ships have approached the hijacked tanker, and negotiations are underway to convince the hijackers to surrender. He said the priority is the safety of the crewmen, who believed to be safe so far. Endi