Stranded ship crew member returns home to Malaysia after 10 months

Saadiah Mohammad, 70, expressed profound gratitude as her son, Mohamad Luqman Yahaya, 31, one of five crew members of the MV Berkat Tuah, finally returned to Malaysia. The ship had been stranded at Hamriyah Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for approximately 10 months.

Mohamad Luqman contacted his mother shortly after arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Monday morning. Saadiah, who resides in Felda Kerteh 5, Kete­ngah Jaya, Kemaman, is eagerly anticipating his return to their home in Kemaman, likely on Tuesday. She plans to prepare his favorite meal, 'ayam masak merah' (red cooked chicken), a dish he has likely missed during his prolonged ordeal.

For nearly a year, Mohamad Luqman and his fellow crewmates endured the uncertainty of being stranded at sea. Their plight garnered attention after Utusan Malaysia previously reported on their situation, highlighting their unpaid wages and the commercial exploitation they allegedly faced. The ship's operator and owner reportedly struggled with severe funding constraints.

The successful repatriation of the five crew members was a collaborative effort involving multiple parties. Key among them were the Malaysian Consulate Office in the UAE, the National Union of Seafarers of Peninsular Malaysia (NUSPM), and other Malaysian representatives who worked to secure their safe return to Malaysian soil.

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Maybe he will return to Kemaman tomorrow (today). I will cook his favorite dish, ayam masak merah. He has been stranded for almost 10 months, he must be craving all sorts of food.