There has been no report of pirate activity at the Straits of Melaka in Malaysian waters, despite assertions by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) that the most dangerous pirate lair was located at the straits within Indonesian waters, above those in Somalia.
Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) criminal investigation branch director First Admiral Datuk Zulkifili Abu Bakar said no pirate activity was reported in the country’s waters of the straits in the first six months of the year.
Stringent surveillance in the Straits of Melaka in the country’s 900km-long waterway was carried out under the Blue Ocean Strategy, involving various security and defence agencies, namely APMM, marine police and Armed Forces.
“Round-the-clock patrols were also held,” he said when contacted by Bernama here Monday.
He was commenting on an IMB report on the piracy development.
According to the IMB report, with many small islands at the river mouth and mangrove swamp on the coast of Indonesia, it was easy for pirates to hide and evade capture.
The report also said that groups of pirates operating in Indonesian waters were armed with firearms, knives and machetes.
According to IMB, from a total of 138 incidents of piracy recorded worldwide in the first six months of this year, 48 incidents occurred off Indonesia.
Zulkifili said ship inspections were among efforts implemented to eradicate pirate activities in the country’s waters on the world’s busiest cargo ship route.
He said APMM had operation assets which included 25 ships, boats, aircraft and radar to safeguard space under the Malaysian martime zone.
“Even though there were reports of piracy in Indonesian waters, the security on national waters is under control with frequent patrol by Malaysian security ships and boats.”
He said APMM also fostered cooperation with Indonesian marine police for more effective enforcement.
Via: http://www.bernama.com.my/
