Malaysia nabs 7 Indonesians after attack on tanker

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysian authorities have arrested seven Indonesians who allegedly tried to rob a tanker off southern Malaysia.

First Adm. Zulkifli Abu Bakar of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency says the men, who were armed with weapons including an ax and a bayonet, boarded the Majuro-registered vessel anchored off Johor state before dawn Wednesday.

But the crew, led by a Russian captain, managed to sound the alarm. Patrol boats rushed to the scene, and authorities caught the suspects and confiscated their wooden boat.

Zulkifli said Thursday that police are investigating whether the men were involved in any of the 10 other attacks off Johor so far this year.

Authorities have stepped up patrols following the string of attacks.