Jakarta, Apr 16 (IANS): Four Indonesian sailors were abducted by a group of armed men when their vessels were hijacked between the Malaysian and Philippine waterways, authorities said on Saturday.

A statement from the Indonesian foreign ministry said a fifth sailor was shot during the hijacking incident on Friday evening. He was rescued by Malaysian maritime police and is in a stable condition, Channel News Asia reported.

Five other crewmen were also rescued and brought to the port in Lahad Datu in Malaysia.

The two Indonesian-flagged vessels, Cristi and TB Henry, were on their way to Tarakan in North Kalimantan from Cebu in the Philippines.

A ministry spokesman said that it is in contact with Malaysian and Philippine authorities.

"The Indonesian government will be taking measures to find a solution to recurring hijacking incidents in those areas. Indonesia will also urge countries in the region to step up security," he said.

Ten other Indonesian sailors are currently being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines after their vessels were hijacked on March 26.