PETALING JAYA: The remaining four Malaysian crew members of MV Berkat Tuah who were stranded at Hamriyah Port in Dubai have returned home safely.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9am on Monday (July 20).
“Following continued engagement with the Sharjah authorities by the Consulate General of Malaysia in Dubai and the Malaysian Marine Department, the Malaysian crew members were allowed to disembark from the vessel on July 18.
“Prior to their return, the Consulate General conducted several consular visits to the stranded crew members to ensure their welfare and safety,” the spokesman said in a ministry statement.
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“The government expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the government of the United Arab Emirates for its assistance and cooperation in facilitating the safe return of the crew members of MV Berkat Tuah to Malaysia.
“The ministry, through its diplomatic missions abroad, remains committed to ensuring that the welfare of Malaysians overseas is safeguarded at all times.”
It was reported that the offshore support vessel had been stranded at the port since October over a complex commercial dispute and financial crisis involving a Singapore-based company that detained the ship.
This left the operating company depleted of funds, with the shipowners failing to pay the crew or fund their journey home.
Four other Malaysian crew members returned home in April.