DPR urges task force to free 4 Indonesians in Somalia
Negotiations have stalled because the kidnappers are unidentified, the hostages keep moving, and ransom demands have risen to US$10 million.
Commission I member Syamsu Rizal urged the government, the TNI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately form a task force to secure the release of four Indonesians held hostage by pirates in Somalia, along with other crew members from MT Honour 25. The ship was hijacked in Somali waters in April 2026. According to Syamsu, diplomatic efforts remain hampered because there is no clear party to negotiate with, while the hostages' location is said to change frequently. The ransom demand has also shifted from US$2 million to US$5 million, and then to as much as US$10 million. He said a military operation could be considered as a last resort. In a meeting with the Foreign Ministry and the TNI, Syamsu also played video showing the hostages' condition, which he received from Syamsuddin Ashari, father of Captain Ashari Samadikun.