Seafarers stranded on a tanker in Malaysia since March have painted an urgent message for help on the vessel's hull.

A photograph shared by the National Union of Seafarers of Peninsular Malaysia (NUSPM) shows the words "Help us. No food. No salary" on the 5,000-dwt Viet Tin 01 (built 1985) in Teluk Ramunia.

Twelve crew members, including the master, have been stuck on the ship for four months.