For many, the ocean is the stuff of dreams—a vast, blue horizon of possibility. But for Fiki Mutakim, a young Indonesian seafarer, the sea has become a volatile landscape where hope and peril collide with ruthless intensity.
At just 24 years old, Fiki had finally reached a major milestone: sailing across the high seas. His debut voyage into international waters was meant to be the start of a bright career, a way to provide for his family and secure his future. Instead, on April 21, his journey turned into a nightmare. Along with three fellow Indonesians and over a dozen international crew members, Fiki was forcibly seized by armed pirates and dragged into the darkness of captivity.
Leaked footage of the incident reveals the harrowing reality of their situation: a dozen hostages crammed into a cramped ship cabin, huddled together in an agonizing wait for salvation.
This ordeal is not merely a kidnapping; it is the latest tragedy in a life that had already dealt Fiki a difficult hand, including a previous experience as a victim of a fraudulent job scheme. Back in Indonesia, in the Land of a Thousand Islands, a family waits with bated breath, clinging to the promises Fiki made before he left—promises to return, to marry the woman he loves, and to build a better life for his mother and younger siblings.
As one seasoned mariner noted, the sea never truly stops a sailor; it merely tests their resolve. In Jakarta, a mother holds onto a singular, unshakable conviction: her son will come home.
“Mom, pray for my safe return”
On Tuesday, April 21, at 8:30 AM WIB, Aat Setiyawati’s phone chimed. When she looked at the screen, she saw the face of her son, Fiki Mutakim. It was a standard check-in, much like their conversations over the past year. Fiki explained he was en route from Oman to Somali waters aboard the tanker Honour 25.
“I asked him where he was going,” Aat recalled. “He said, ‘I’m delivering to Somalia, Ma.’ He told me, ‘Ma, please pray for me, so I can return home to Indonesia safely.'”
By Friday, the silence became deafening. When Aat’s messages went unanswered, her anxiety spiked. The realization hit her when friends sent her news links detailing the hijacking of the Honour 25. The world stopped. She was devastated, but through social media, she connected with the family of the ship’s captain, Ashari Samadikun, from South Sulawesi. Reports from that circle offered a sliver of comfort: the crew, so far, appeared to be in good health, allowed to pray and eat.
Fiki, the second of three children, is his mother’s primary support. Since his father passed away when Fiki was in the first grade, he had taken on the responsibility of caring for his two younger siblings. “Fiki is my only hope,” Aat said, her voice trembling. “He vowed that when he returned, I would stop working as a domestic helper. He wanted to take care of everything.”
“We planned to marry next year”
Fiki was scheduled to return to Indonesia this month, marking the end of a year-long contract that began in Riau. His girlfriend, Kartika Sari, known as Tika, had been planning a future with him, including their wedding next year. Despite her initial reservations about the risks of his maritime career, she had supported his ambition.
“Given the risks, it certainly gives us pause,” Tika admitted. Yet, she remains optimistic. “I truly hope and believe he will come home safely and that this won’t derail our plans.” She describes Fiki as a kind, patient, and compassionate man, virtues that make his current circumstances all the more painful to bear.
“Tough sailors aren’t made in calm waters”
Wawan Gunawan, Fiki’s uncle and a veteran seafarer with two decades of experience, was one of the last people to speak with him. “He told me, ‘Uncle, I have to go, we are about to be hijacked,'” Wawan recalled, initially thinking it was a joke until the line went dead. According to Wawan, the ship’s management is currently engaged in negotiations for the crew’s release.
Wawan, who mentored Fiki in the industry, remains confident in his nephew’s resilience. “Tough sailors aren’t forged in calm waters,” he said. “Fiki is a spirited, optimistic young man. I don’t believe this incident will break his resolve to continue his life at sea.”
Wawan shared his own brush with Somali pirates in 2010. When his ship was approached by a speedboat, he used his knowledge of Arabic to engage with the attackers. “I greeted them with ‘Assalamualaikum,’ and it changed the tone,” he said. The pirates simply asked for cigarettes and eventually moved on. He believes a shared faith can foster a level of respect that can sometimes de-escalate such dangerous encounters.
The resurgence of Somali piracy
While the motives of Somali pirates—seizing vessels for ransom—remain consistent, their tactics have evolved. After a period of relative decline due to international patrols, pirate activity surged again in 2023 and 2024. Sources in Puntland indicate that several gangs are currently active, often using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and AK-47s to intimidate crews into submission.
While the pirates claim their actions are a response to illegal foreign fishing in Somali waters, the reality for the crew of the Honour 25 remains precarious. The ship is reportedly operated by a shell company, complicating the public response and negotiation process.
Historically, Somali piracy has resulted in prolonged ordeals. Data from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) highlights the extreme conditions hostages endure, including malnutrition and violence. While military interventions have succeeded in some instances, they carry high risks for the hostages, whereas negotiations—though often stretching over months or even years—remain the primary pathway to safety.
A call for systemic action
Luthfian Haekal, Human Rights Manager at Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia, notes that the current modus operandi targets slower, less-protected vessels. He stresses the need for a three-pronged approach: prevention through better security protocols, professional handling of crises via expert negotiation, and international law enforcement to dismantle the pirate networks.
For now, however, the strategy is one of waiting. As May 27 approaches—the day Fiki should have been celebrating his 25th birthday—his family remains in a state of suspended animation. Tika has a gift waiting for him, and Aat continues to offer prayers. For them, the complexities of international politics and maritime security fade away, leaving only the singular, fervent hope for a reunion.
Summary
Fiki Mutakim, a 24-year-old Indonesian sailor, was taken hostage by armed pirates on April 21 after his vessel, the Honour 25, was seized in Somali waters. Before his capture, Fiki had been working to support his mother and siblings, with plans to marry his girlfriend, Kartika Sari, upon his return. His family and loved ones are currently waiting for news as negotiations for the crew’s release continue amidst a recent resurgence in regional piracy.
While the ship’s management works to secure the safety of the crew, experts highlight the complex nature of maritime security and the prolonged negotiations often required in such cases. Despite the uncertainty, Fiki’s family remains hopeful for his safe return, clinging to the promises he made before his journey began. His ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers and the ongoing struggle against piracy in international waters.