Malaysia has refused a Japanese offer to assist in patrolling the Straits. Japan has reportedly given a patrol boat to the Indonesians, as well as providing them with training. The Malaysians supposedly will seek training and equipment(such as radar)from the UK.
Recently reported incidents:
03.04.2005 at 0145 LT in position 03:08N - 105:24E, 12nm west of P.Mangkai Island, Anambas Islands, Indonesia. Four pirates armed with long bolo knives boarded a bulk carrier underway at poop deck. They assaulted two duty crew who received knife wounds. Pirates stole ship's equipment and escaped.
31.03.2005 at 1900 UTC in position 03:06.9N - 100:44.6E, vicinity of One Fathom Bank, Malacca Straits. Pirates armed with guns and knives boarded a bulk carrier underway. They held master as hostage and stole ship's cash and escaped. No injuries to crew.
31.03.2005 at 1330 UTC in position 00:40.5N - 048:49.1E, Somalia. Six pirates armed with guns and grenades in two speedboats attempted to board a general cargo ship underway. Ship sent distress message, increased speed and took evasive maneuvers. Pirates aborted attempted boarding at 1520 UTC.
30.03.2005 at 2255 LT in position 05:28.29S - 105:17.93E, Panjang Outer Roads, Indonesia. Six robbers armed with long knives boarded a container ship. They held two crew members hostage and tied them up. They broke into forward locker and stole ship's stores. Alarm was raised and crew mustered and robbers escaped. Master tried to contact port authorities on VHF but received no response. Boarding took place although two shore watchmen were on board.
30.03.2005 at 1020 LT in position 04:35N - 119:00E, about 3nm east of Mataking island, Sabah, Malaysia. Five pirates armed with M16 and AK47 rifles in a speedboat came alongside a tug towing a barge. They fired several shots into air and ordered master to stop. Four pirates dressed in dark blue clothes boarded the tug and ordered crew to assemble at main deck. Pirates stole crews' personal belongings and tug's communication equipment. They kidnapped master and two crewmembers and left in their speedboat in [an] easterly direction.
30.03.2005 at 0415 LT at Sebuku Anchorage, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Several robbers armed with long knives boarded a bulk carrier and broke open forepeak locker. Alert crew and armed security guard rushed forward. Robbers stole ship's stores and escaped in a speedboat.
29.03.2005 at 2030 UTC in position 01:53.6S - 116:58.0E, Makassar straits, Indonesia. Two pirates armed with knives boarded a bulk carrier underway. They stole a life raft and escaped.