MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE: AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCE PLANS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST DRAMATIC RISE IN MARITIME PIRACY

Record ID: 376212

  • Title: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE: AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCE PLANS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST DRAMATIC RISE IN MARITIME PIRACY
  • Date: 26th June 2001
  • Summary: (W3)STRAITS OF MALACCA, MALAYSIA (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) (NIGHT SHOTS) 1. WIDE VIEW OF PORT KLANG IN MALAYSIA 0.05 2. SLV: STRADDLE CARRIERS LIFTING CONTAINERS FROM A SHIP IN PORT KLANG 0.11 3. MV/SCU: A FISHING BOAT BEING INSPECTED BY POLICE PATROL (2 SHOTS) 0.22 4. SV: POLICE OFFICER QUESTIONING MAN ABOARD FISHIN
  • Embargoed: 11th July 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KUALA LUMPUR AND STRAITS OF MALACCA, MALAYSIA / SINGAPORE
  • City:
  • Country: Singapore Malaysia
  • Reuters ID: LVA6IQMX8X5OKZEDNF7B9PJHT7XE
  • Story Text: Maritime piracy has been rising dramatically in Southeast
    Asia's sea lanes, despite a concerted international
    effort to curb the often fatal attacks on boats and their
    crews.


    Incidents of piracy have increased 50 per cent
    worldwide in the the past year, with around half the attacks
    and hijackings occurring in Southeast Asia.

    Pirate booty these days includes oil and other bulk cargo
    worth millions of dollars, rather than the treasure chests of
    earlier centuries, but today's pirates can still be cut-throat
    murderers.

    Seventy-two sailors were murdered worldwide last year,
    compared to three in 1999.

    So acute is the problem, that governments in southeast
    Asia are pushing for stronger regional co-operation to stamp
    out the scourge of piracy.

    Representatives from 20 countries have been meeting in
    Malaysia at the Fourth International Meeting on Pirate and
    Phantom Ships which ended on Wednesday (June 27).

    Indonesia has been singled out as the most affected
    country - the vastness of the archipelago and the country's
    economic and political troubles have allowed pirates an almost
    free-hand in attacking ships that use Indonesia's key sea
    lanes.

    Other countries say they are making an extra effort to
    control piracy in their own waters, learning lessons they want
    to share with their neighbours.

    Malaysia says it has drastically cut attacks on its side
    of the Straits of Malacca - which separate it from Indonesia -
    by training and equipping a special navy unit dedicated to
    fighting piracy.

    The unit went through its paces in a demonstration for
    conference delegates - winching down commandos from a
    helicopter on to a boat that had been hijacked by mock
    pirates.

    "On the part of Malaysia, particularly in ensuring peace
    and order in the sea, our law enforcement agencies have
    intensified patrols in identified areas prone to piracy and
    illegal acts. We have also established a special task unit to
    conduct surveillance and mount offensive action against
    criminals and pirates," said Malaysian deputy home minister
    Zainal Abidin Zin.

    Piracy has a serious impact on regional economies - adding
    costs to shipping of vital raw materials and finished
    products.

    Some 80 per cent of Japan's oil supply passes through the
    straits of Malacca, probably one of the most dangerous sea
    lanes in the world.
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