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| International-UN-NGOs |
| ONI WorldWide Threat to Shipping May 4 Excerpts |
| 2005-05-09 |
| STRAITS OF MALACCA: A 28 April Singapore press report states Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to step up efforts to protect the pirate infested Straits of Malacca through coordinated joint patrols of the waterways. Both sides have agreed to reaffirm their commitment to improve the safety of the waterway that borders Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. A 26 April Malaysian press report states the Malaysian Navy wants all merchant ships that pass through the Straits of Malacca to use channel 6 to safeguard themselves from pirate attacks. A Malaysian Navy public relations officer explained the channel is to facilitate communications of merchant ships when entering the Straits of Malacca. He goes on to explain vessels need to provide their location to make monitoring easier for the military and that the use of channel 6 had been negotiated with the Singaporean and Indonesian military. In a 27 April message, the Malaysian Director of Internal Security and Public Order announced that any private security companies wishing to operate in Malaysian waters must obtain the necessary permit from the Ministry of Internal Security. The Director said directives have been issued to all Malaysian Marine Police commanders to detain armed escort boats and arrest their crew members if they were to encroach into Malaysian waters... Indonesia also publicly opposes the use of private security firms providing armed escort service to merchant vessels in the Straits of Malacca per [a] 29 April message. A different message dated 27 April announced the newly established Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will be operational in June. The MMEA will patrol the Malaysian coastline to keep it free of threats from pirates and terrorists, and to deter smuggling, human trafficking, environmental pollution, illegal fishing, and also help in search and rescue. It is expected to take up to five years before the MMEA is to be effective on its own, so in the meantime, the Malaysian Navy and other maritime agencies will assist. ASIA: The first four countries have signed the Japanese led Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) per [a] 04 May message. Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos joined Japan last week in signing the ReCAAP agreement. The ReCAAP plans to establish and operate an Information Sharing Center, to be located in Singapore, with the goal of facilitating communication and information exchanges between the member countries, as well as improve the quality of statistics and reports on piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region. The ReCAAP agreement also seeks to enhance capabilities of member countries to combat piracy and will enter into force 90 days after the 10th country signs up. |
| Posted by:Pappy |