Malaysia's new coastguard and search and rescue body is expected to be set up in November of this year. The country's Maritime Law Enforcement Organisation will initially draw about 4,000 personnel and at least five patrol vessels from navy, customs and fisheries authorities and the air force. The new maritime enforcement unit will take over security patrols in the Malacca Straits.
Malaysia is also in talks with Indonesia and Singapore to address the issue of 'hot pursuit' of pirates into each other's territorial waters, thereby enhancing the chances of catching them. At present, the three countries' security patrols are prohibited from crossing national boundaries. It is not known when this change of policy might be achieved. |