THE crew of the tanker MT Pematang was being pierced to the bone by the cold night air when the captain gave the order to lower the anchor. In the waters of Berhala (Idol) Island in the Straits of Malacca, their vessel was waiting to enter the port of Belawan, Medan, North Sumatra.

Before the crew had even managed to finish their cigarettes, another vessel drew alongside. A gang of men shimmied up the ship's side, and then forced their way a