GRS 27.3
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 2431
651
RECEIVED REGISTRY NO. 51 1 4 MAY 1979
DESK OFFICER
TRY
FM A G KONG 111858Z MAY 79
TO IMMEDIATE SINGAPORE
TELNO.16 OF 11 MAY,
INDEX
ماز
PA
Ja.s
INFO PRIORITY: F.C.O, TOKYO, BANGKOK, WASHINGTON, UKMIS GENEVA,
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON,
1.
ROUTINE: HANOI, CANBERRA.
MY TELNO.11: POSSIBLE REFUGEE SHIP 'TOMI MARU 11
MARY!!
!!!
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUNDA SHIPPING CO., OF BANGKOK WHO WAS ONE OF THE CREDITORS KEEPING THIS VESSEL UNDER ARREST HAS NOW LIFTED THEIR WRIT AND AGREED TO PAY OFF OTHER CREDITORS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CONTROLLING INTEREST IN THE VESSEL FOR THREE MONTHS TO TRADE BETWEEN SINGAPORE, BANGKOK AND KOTA KINABALU.
2. SOURCES HERE SAY THAT INTELLIGENCE FROM BANGKOK IS THAT SUNDA SHIPPING IS OWNED BY A THAI/CHINESE WOMAN (CHU WAI KUEN) AND THE OTHER DIRECTORS ARE EX-SHIP CLERKS WITHOUT STRONG
FINANCIAL BACKING. SUNDA SHIPPING ARE ALSO REPORTED TO BE
INVOLVED IN A FRAUD CASE.
3. YOU WILL RECALL THE DANGER IS THAT THIS TUG WILL PUT TO SEA AND ABANDON ITS BARGE FULL OF REFUGEES TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE NEAREST HARBOUR. WE ESTIMATE THAT THE BARGE COULD HOLD 5-6,000 REFUGEES IF PACKED TO ''HUEY FONG'' OR 'SKY LUCK'' STANDARDS BUT UPWARDS OF 12,000 IF TO ''HA LUNG'' STANDARDS.
4. COULD YOU ADVISE SINGAPOREAN AUTHORITIES OF OUR CONCERN IF THE TUG AND BARGE SAIL IN ANY THINK OTHER THAN THE MOST
REPUTABLE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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