KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Authorities in Malaysia have arrested four Indonesian pirates who allegedly tried to hijack a tugboat and barge off Borneo island, AFP reported Saturday (October 20th).

Abim Sungom of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said men armed with machetes boarded the Malaysian vessel off Sarawak state on Thursday. Most of the crew of ten managed to lock themselves inside the tug and call for help. None was injured. Authorities captured four suspects from the barge, while several others escaped.

The incident is described as the first attack off Sarawak this year. According to AFP, the number of pirate attacks in Malaysian waters has been declining in the wake of beefed up patrols and co-operation with neighbouring countries.