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Malaysia: Armed Escort Boats Encroaching Into Waters To Be Detained
From the Malaysian National News Agency:Any boat providing armed escort services to merchant shipping in the Melaka Straits will be detained if it encroaches into Malaysian waters because its crew can be considered as terrorists. Director of Internal Security and Public Order Datuk Othman Talib said directives had been issued to all Marine Police commanders to detain such boats and arrest their crew members if they were to encroach into Malaysian waters. Othman likened the armed crew members of the escort boats as "mercenaries being paid for performing specific tasks" whereas the crew of naval vessels were given permission to pass through Malaysian waters. He said any private security companies wishing to operate in this country must obtain the necessary permit from the Ministry of Internal Security. Foreign news agency reports recently said a private security company in Singapore had employed former members of elite military units to provide armed escort services to merchant ships passing through Asian waters including the Melaka Straits. "They have no power in this country and it is a violation of our territorial sovereignty," he said. Othman said the Marine Police had started giving escort services to several Japan-owned merchant ships which were carrying high value assets such as construction materials and oil exploration equipment while passing through the Melaka Straits. The Marine Police, he said, were prepared to provide escort services to any merchant ship in the Melaka Straits as they were part of their responsibilities in ensuring national security. Posted by: Pappy 2005-04-30 |
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