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Malaysian PM: Security Of Malacca Straits Responsibility Of Three Nations
(Prime Minister} Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stressed that security in the Straits of Melaka (Malacca) is the responsibility of the security authorities of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and not private or civilian parties."Our (Malaysia's) opinion is that it's better for the monitoring to be done by the security authorities of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia," he told a news conference at the end of the first day of his visit to the Netherlands... the issue of security in the Melaka Strait was raised by the Netherlands Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenande at their meeting Thursday night. "...Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are serious about the matter and give priority to monitoring security of the shipping route in the Melaka Straits," [Abdullah] said. The prime minister said he told Balkenande that the three nations wanted to ensure that ships passing the straits were safe at all times. He also told Balkenande that the security authorities of the three countries needed whatever technological assistance and contribution they could get to ensure effective monitoring. The technology could be in the form of surveillance technology for use by aircraft to monitor and detect the passage of ships. Asked about the possibility of setting up a maritime enforcement force like the Coast Guard for the Melaka Straits, the prime minister said it would involve a high cost. He said Malaysia would use its marine police and navy to monitor security control in the Melaka Straits and the South China Sea. Of greater importance was cooperation among the parties concerned to further enhance their capabilty and performance in security control... Posted by: Pappy 2005-05-21 |
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