Jakarta, Aug 4 (DPA) Eleven Indonesian crew members of a Malaysian tugboat were freed after being held captive for seven months by Somali pirates, a government official said Tuesday.

But the foreign ministry's spokesman, Teuku Faizasyah, declined to give details to protect the security of the released crew members. He said the government would disclose the details in the coming days.

'We received the information regarding the release of the Indonesian crew yesterday (Monday) evening,' Faizasyah said.

Reports said the pirates had released the Malaysian tugboat, Masindra Seven, and its crew of 11 Indonesians after holding it for seven months.