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April 2005

14 Filipinos held for poaching in Malaysian waters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Fourteen Filipinos have been detained by Malaysian marine police for suspected illegal fishing in waters off eastern Sabah state on Borneo island, local media said Wednesday. The Filipinos, aged between 15 and 40, were arrested Monday after a high-speed boat chase for more than one hour, Paul Khiu, marine police chief of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency. They had no travel documents and were believed to have been fishing with bombs based on items -- including a hose, rubber cork, bottles and matches -- found aboard their two boats, he said. "It took half an hour to chase the first boat and another one hour the second one," he said. "Not only did they come here to do illegal fishing, they also came to bomb our fish and bomb our corals. Definitely, we don't condone this kind of activities." The suspects are expected to be charged in court under the Fishery Act, which provides for a maximum fine of one million ringgit (263,158 dollars), he said, adding this was the first case of suspected fish-bombing involving foreigners. In Manila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has instructed the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur to assist the 14 fishermen. “Let me reiterate the policy of the department to assist every Filipino in distress and if necessary to tap the Assistance to [the] National Fund to facilitate in their immediate repatriation,” he told reporters in a press conference. Romulo said Luis Cruz, charge d’ affaires of the Philippine embassy in Malaysia, was instructed to “inquire directly” with maritime authorities there about the situation of the arrested Filipinos. “Mr. Cruz informed the department that he will speak with Paul Khiu, chief of the Kuala Lumpur Marine Police, to confirm the media report and to submit an update immediately,” he said. © w.INQ7.net.

80 fish farms hit by oil slicks from ships by R. Sittamparam
Pontian - Eighty fish farms in Kampung Air Masin and Kukup Laut have been hit by oil discharged from ships plying the Straits of Malacca. The State Department of Environment (DOE) today warned residents in the affected areas that another massive oil slick was heading their way. The oil spill, spotted about eight kilometres from the farms, has already spread over a 25km radius in the Straits. Fishermen in the area are now bracing for the worse. Kukup Fish Farmers Association treasurer Jim Thiam Hock said the 80 farms hit by the first wave of oil slick had reported losses totalling RM3.5 million. "Oil had seeped into a total of 6,000 fish enclosures at the farms. "Besides killing the fish, the oil has also rendered the fishing nets useless, causing losses of up to RM50,000 for each farm. "Most of our fish stocks have also been destroyed by the oil," he said. Farm owners have lodged a police report at the Permas police station on Saturday. One of the affected owners, Lee Bok Seng, 50, said oil slicks in the Straits had become common of late. He said the culprits were tankers and cargo vessels which dumped oil and sludge enroute to Singapore for repairs. "I've been in the business for 10 years and this is the worst I've seen so far." Kukup is one of the biggest exporters of fish to Singapore and Hong Kong, with farms there rearing a variety of fish. State DOE director Dr Abdul Rahman Awang said samples had been taken for analysis. "We have also enlisted the help of the Harbour Master to determine ships passing through the waterway at the time of the incident," he said, adding an aerial check would be carried out to determine the size and direction of the oil slick. This is the second major incident of pollution affecting fish farms in Johor this month. On April 17, more than 36,000 fully-grown siakap at seven Orang Asli fish farms at Pontian died mysteriously, causing losses of more than RM500,000. The farms in Kampung Sri Dungun, located downstream of Sungai Pontian, are believed to have been polluted by effluents discharged by a factory nearby. The DOE is awaiting the analysis results of samples of water and dead fish sent to the Chemistry Department. © NST Online.

Ambalat diplomacy budget cut by Ivy Susanti and Tiarma Siboro
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cut the budget for diplomatic efforts to settle the Ambalat dispute almost 10 fold, from a massive Rp 60.4 billion (US$6.34 million) to a modest Rp 8 billion for the year 2005, a top official said on Wednesday.The move comes as the Ministry of Defense proposed a hike in the defense budget this year particularly to help improve the capability of the Navy and Air Force in defending the country's territory. Foreign ministry secretary-general Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat did not elaborate on the reason for the budget revision, but explained that the earlier budget assessment was based on a "worst case scenario". It was not clear whether the House of Representatives would review the revised budget, since the legislators had already approved the previous one of Rp 60.4 billion. "We have reviewed the situation with the related technical department to determine the most efficient negotiation strategy to meet our own interests. We concluded that the budget need not even reach Rp 10 billion. For the year 2005, after much internal discussion, we decided to find the most efficient negotiation strategy to claim Ambalat as our territory. We will allocate Rp 7 billion to Rp 8 billion," Sudjadnan told reporters on the sidelines of the Asian-African Senior Officials' Meeting. Sudjadnan said that the initial budget was planned in a rush. "It was an early assessment. We were asked by the House budget committee to submit the budget only a day before the meeting. We thought of the worst-case scenario, involving various departments. We would have to survey our maritime area, measure the exclusive economic zone, send people to international organizations, collect data and pay lawyers, but now we think not all of those measures are necessary." Indonesia and Malaysia have been engaged in a territorial dispute over a deep water oil block called Ambalat in Sulawesi Sea over the past month. Although the two countries had initially sent warships and war planes to the area, the two sides later agreed to settle the dispute through diplomatic efforts. The last talks took place in Jakarta on March 9, and will continue again in May. But the Ambalat issue had been used by the country's military forces to seek a higher defense budget. Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono has recently proposed an increase in the 2005 defense expenditure from Rp 21.6 trillion to Rp 26.6 trillion. The lawmakers, however, have yet to approve the proposal. Juwono is optimistic that the House will at least approve between Rp 1.5 trillion to Rp 3 trillion in additional funds. The defense budget of the world's fourth most populous country is considered very low, even compared to smaller neighboring countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia. The initial defense budget figure only accounts for 6 percent of the 2005 state budget. Commenting on the government's plan to raise the military budget, the Air Force has said that they might procure six more Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters and spare parts for the Hercules C-130 transport planes, while the Navy plans to procure submarines, missiles and patrol boats equipped with rockets. The Indonesian Military has approximately 400,000 active troops. But much of its military equipment is in poor condition. It has two squadrons of Hercules aircraft but only a handful are operational. This has often been used by the TNI as a reason for their slow response in sending soldiers and humanitarian aid to areas hit by security disturbances and natural disasters. © The Jakarta Post.

Asia pair step up piracy war
MALAYSIA - Malaysia and the Philippines will step up co-ordinated patrols in the Sulawesi Sea to deter pirate attacks and other maritime crimes, officials said yesterday, AP reports . The countries already co-operated in such patrols twice a year in the waters between Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island and the southern Philippines, said Abdul Hadi Rashid, director of Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Co-ordinating Center. “Co-ordinated patrols involving multiple enforcement agencies will be increased in terms of numbers, frequency and duration,” Mr Abdul Hadi said after a one-day meeting involving the Malaysian and Philippine navies, coast guard, customs and other maritime agencies. The proposed measures come after gunmen stormed a Malaysian tugboat in waters off Sabah last week, kidnapped three Indonesian crewmen and fled toward the southern Philippines. Rufinos Lopez, a Philippine navy commander on Mindanao island, said authorities had not yet found the kidnappers or their captives, adding that it was not clear whether the attackers were ordinary pirates or members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf group. The al-Qa’eda linked group has carried out kidnappings in the area before, but other criminal groups and pirates also operate in the region. © Informa Asia Publishing.

Asian owners, shippers come closer
ASIAN ship owners and shippers have set the ball rolling for establishing harmonious relations. Representatives of the newly formed Asian Shippers’ Council and the Shipping Economic Review Committee of the Asian Shipowners’ Forum have committed to establish constructive relations following an inaugural meeting in Penang, Malaysia on 4 April. “It was agreed to work together on possible avenues to facilitate a partnership approach to trade issues,” a joint-statement issued by ASC and ASF SERC said. Shipping policy issues and “mutual concerns” including maritime security and congestion at port and intermodal facilities were also discussed. “This is a positive step forward and we hope for a better understanding of our concerns when we hold discussions with liner groupings on matters such as Terminal Handling Charges,” Asian Shippers’ Council Chairman John Lu told Fairplay. Shippers want THC to be abolished and freight rates to be dictated by market forces rather than fixed by liner groupings. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Australia focuses on lifeboats
THE Australian Maritime Safety Authority will conduct a ‘focused inspection’ of lifeboats between 1 May and 31 July. AMSA says the inspections will be run in conjunction with regular Port State Control inspections and are intended to ensure that lifeboats and their launching appliances are being properly maintained and that adequate emphasis is being given to the safe operation of this equipment. The campaign will also be used to raise shipping operators' and crews' awareness of the IMO Marine Safety Committee's circulars related to lifeboat safety. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Boost security, small boat crews told by K. Saithuruka
Petaling Jaya: Small boats which are often easy targets for pirates should upgrade their security features on board and not only depend on the authorities to handle such situations. Royal Malaysian Navy Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, Strategy and Operations, First Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, said captains and crew members of small boats should adhere to security procedures when they were in sensitive areas along the Straits of Malacca. These boats are easy targets because of their slow speed level and their low freeboard levels, making it easier for pirates to climb onto the boats. “Boat users should be alert especially during the night. Take appropriate measures to upgrade security, employ a qualified crew to handle boats and ensure that your communication system is operational.” He said this after witnessing the Navy Special Forces (Paskal) carry out an anti-piracy tactical exercise on the Malaysian International Shipping Corp- oration Bhd (MISC) crude oil tanker MV Bunga Kelana 8 in the Straits of Malacca off Tanjong Tuan, Negri Sembilan, yesterday. Admiral Kamarulzaman stressed that it was important for all enforcement agencies to co-operate in managing maritime security, adding that the navy's Paskal unit was always on the alert. He said the challenges of managing maritime security in the Straits of Malacca was huge since 80% of Malaysia's economy was maritime related and 30% of world trade plied through its narrow lane. © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Call to probe multi-bil navy contract delay
Kuala Lumpur: The DAP called for an inquiry into a delay in a RM24.3 billion contract to build 27 high-tech navy vessels, warning it was affecting the navy's ability to operate effectively. It said PSC Naval Dockyard Sdn. Bhd. was to have delivered the first six of 27 heavily-armed offshore patrol vessels (OPV) last year as part of the deal. But the handover was postponed in February after numerous technical problems during sea trials of the first offshore vessel last year, it said in a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The Government has so far invested RM2.5 billion in the project, and the DAP warned it could turn into the "biggest financial scandal in Malaysia's history" if no serious action was taken. "The failure of the first OPV to carry out its duty is not only a waste of our investment but it has also exposed the country to the risks of enemy threats, whether from neighbouring nations or from pirates," said DAP's Sec-Gen Lim Guan Eng. For instance, he said the United States had previously sought to help police the Malacca Strait against possible terrorist attacks on shipping while the Indonesian navy was showing its might in a disputed oil-rich maritime area off Borneo island. There has also been a spate of pirate raids on ships in the Malacca Strait since February, sparking fears that the ease with which ships have been boarded may tempt terrorists to stage a seaborne attack. Malaysia announced it will place armed and uniformed police officers on board tugboats and barges plying the waterway, which carries a quarter of world trade and half its oil supplies. But it rejected suggestions that the US or other foreign navies be allowed to help patrol the Strait. "We call for a royal commission of inquiry to be set up to look into the problems of building and delivering the OPVs because it is an issue of public interest involving the country's finance and integrity," Lim added. The country's navy chief Mohamad Anwar Mohamad Nor in February said there were technical flaws in the OPV's command system and that the training package for officers and personnel was outdated. He said the vessel delivery originally scheduled for last September has been delayed till July. The Asian Wall Street Journal last month reported the Government was looking for ways to unwind the contract as it was increasingly sceptical that PSC could deliver. The 10-year contract, signed in 1998, also gave PSC control of the government's main naval shipyard and the exclusive rights to service the entire navy fleet, a move aimed as a springboard for Malaysia to create its own marine-engineering industry, it said. PSC was building the first two vessels with its foreign partners, led by Germany's ThyssenKrupp AG. The Edge business newspaper recently quoted sources as saying that Malaysia's military investment fund has taken over the privately held dockyard company, and demoted PSC chief Amin Shah Omar Shah to Deputy Chairman.- AFP © Daily Express, Sabah, Malaysia

China and Indonesia seal strategic pact
(Reuters) The leaders of Indonesia and China signed agreements on Monday to establish a "strategic partnership" and open the way for more trade, investment and maritime cooperation. President Hu Jintao of China and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met in Jakarta and signed nine agreements one day after they attended a summit meeting of Asian and African heads of state in Indonesia. "This demonstrates not only that Sino-Indonesian relations have entered a new development stage, but will also promote the development of Sino-ASEAN relations," Hu said, referring to the Association of South East Asian Nations. Indonesia, which has a long history of uneasy relations with China, is one of the most prominent members of ASEAN, a 10-member grouping that also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Among the agreements signed Monday was a low-interest loan of $300 million for Indonesia, which has yet to decide what projects need financing. The maritime agreement could include joint efforts to combat smuggling and piracy, a Chinese official said. Beijing also offered to help with rebuilding in the tsunami-smashed province of Aceh. Hu flew to Jakarta last week in a chartered plane carrying $500,000 worth of relief goods and gave $1.5 million in cash to tsunami victims. China will also help Indonesia establish an earthquake early warning system. Both leaders pledged to increase two-way trade to $20 billion within three years. Indonesia said Chinese statistics put annual trade today at $14 billion, while Jakarta puts it at $9 billion. In recent years, Chinese companies have shown particular interest in Indonesia's oil and gas sector. The Indonesia minister of mines and energy, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, said China wanted to increase cooperation in the energy sector. He did not give details. Some ASEAN nations view China with suspicion because of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. But Beijing has agreed to conduct joint marine seismic tests with the Philippines in the potentially oil-rich area as part of efforts to allay fears that its rise poses a threat to the region. Hu, who is due to fly to Manila on Tuesday, invited Yudhoyono to visit China in the second half of this year. The other agreements called for cooperation in agriculture and defense technology, and jointly fighting terrorism and transnational crime. Indonesia and China have a troubled history. Diplomatic ties were broken in 1967 when Jakarta accused Beijing of backing an attempted coup by the Communist Party of Indonesia. In an anti-communist crackdown that followed the coup, hundreds of thousands of people, many of them ethnic Chinese, were slaughtered. Relations were not restored until 1990, but intermittent violence against Indonesia's ethnic Chinese community, which arouses public anger in China, had made for a brittle friendship. And in May 1998, almost all of Jakarta's Chinatown was set ablaze, as protests mounted against the rule of strongman president Suharto. © 2005 The International Herald Tribune.

Coast guard to begin patrols in June by Adrian David
Kuala Lumpur - The newly-established Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to patrol the coastline will be operational in June. By then, the MMEA would have acquired six patrol boats, complete with crew and support personnel, from the navy. Outgoing Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Laksamana Datuk Seri Mohamad Anwar Mohamad Nor said the navy and other maritime agencies would assist the MMEA to become a credible coastline safeguard. "We reckon it will take up to five years for the MMEA to be effective on its own, but its presence is important to maintain the country’s status as a safe maritime trading nation, free of threats from pirates and terrorists, and to deter smuggling, human trafficking, environmental pollution, illegal fishing, and also to help in search and rescue." Anwar was speaking during an interview in conjunction with the 71st RMN Day tomorrow. Its theme is "Effective leadership, RMN glorious." Anwar will assume the post of armed forces chief on Thursday, following the retirement of Jen Tan Sri Mohamad Zahidi Zainuddin. The Government, he said, would announce the budget allocation for the MMEA under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) by year’s end. This will enable the agency to acquire a complete list of assets, including helicopters, speedboats and additional patrol boats. Each patrol boat, he said, would have a crew of 30. "While the crew will initially be seconded to the MMEA, they will be offered the option to either remain with the RMN or join the agency under a competitive remuneration package." In the meantime, assets and personnel from other agencies, including the marine police, Customs Department, Fisheries Department, Marine Department and National Security Council will be mobilised for the MMEA, which needs up to 39 vessels to patrol the coastline. At present, the RMN has 15 patrol boats, the marine police 83 vessels, Fisheries 85, Customs 30 and Marine Department four vessels. On the RMN, Anwar said the focus was to produce a multi-skilled, knowledgeable, dedicated and credible workforce that could handle state-of-the-art weaponry, vessels and helicopters. The RMN has a total of 57 vessels and 12 helicopters. The RMN had this month leased its MV Puteri Mahsuri to the MMEA for RM1.2 million a month, he said. The vessel could accommodate the training of 60 cadets and recruits at a time. On the recent "brush" with the Indonesian navy off the Sulawesi Sea, Anwar said both navies had agreed to patrol the area with caution. © NST Online.

Crewmen fight off pirates by Sharidan M Ali
Blowing whistles, activating fire hoses and searchlights, crewmen foiled seven pirate attacks over the past two weeks. Their success in warding off the attempted attacks showed that seamen have become bolder and are ready to combat the menace in the pirate-infested waters. According to International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) weekly piracy report, a total of 11 cases were reported between April 4 and April 11 in the Straits of Malacca, Singapore Strait and Somalia. Out of which, nine incidents occurred in the waters off Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. The IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre regional head Noel Choong said vessels are more alert now owing to the daily broadcast of incidents by the centre. He said the anti-piracy watch airs the hot-spot waters, the time the attacks usually take and the patterns of the crime. “The most important element in fighting the pirates is the crewmen must be prepared when they are in the troubled waters. “Alarms, whistles, search lights and water pressures are among the tools used by them to fight suspected criminals. “Although we are glad of their bold actions, we are concern over the increasing number of sea crimes in Somalia waters, Straits of Malacca and Singapore Straits recently,” he said. He said enforcement agencies in the littoral states should increase patrols and carry out investigation to nab the culprits. He added that cooperation between neighbouring countries is vital to curb piracy problem. Meanwhile, Singapore's Shipping Times reported that lack of resources and sovereignty issues are the two biggest hurdles in the fight against piracy in the Straits of Malacca. However, an upcoming, first ever straits users' forum could be a turning point, according to the head of a non-profit Japanese maritime body. Bringing together the three littoral states of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, as well as user states of the straits, the forum is aimed at securing cooperation on enhancing maritime safety and security of the Malacca and Singapore straits, including who should pay. An outcome of the Trilateral Technical Experts Group meeting last December of the three littoral states, the forum is a watershed in so far as it has apparently overcome previous reservations by Indonesia and Malaysia to the involvement of non-littoral states. Although primarily focused on navigational safety issues, it is understood that the meeting, which has not been publicly announced, will also discuss piracy and security in the straits. “This will be a very important first step to establish a new cooperation scheme,” said Takashi Ichioka, managing director of the Nippon Maritime Centre, a non-profit Japanese organisation keenly involved in maritime safety in the straits for over 35 years. “What kind of cooperation scheme will be established, I don't know, but this is a very good environment to establish a good relationship between the littoral states and the user states,” said Ichioka. “Hopefully they can see in the future this current situation as a historical turning point.” Reluctance to include anyone outside the three littoral states has been primarily driven by a firm focus on maritime sovereignty on the part of Indonesia and Malaysia. This has limited patrols, for instance, to each state's declared territorial waters and denied the ability to carry out joint patrols or hot-pursuit of pirates. While the Malacca and Singapore straits fall within the territorial waters of the three states, they have at the same time a special status as an international waterway, according to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). “Sovereignty could be restricted under the philosophy of Unclos,” said Ichioka, “but it is not so clear to what extent it can be limited. Because of that, the littoral states and the user states should discuss and consider what kind of cooperation should be made.” This forum, likely to be hosted by Singapore, is expected to take place prior to the important Jakarta anti-piracy meeting in September co-hosted by Indonesia and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Ichioka said the Japanese government – which is also considering a plan to donate patrol vessels – would likely tap all possible international maritime in order to keep the agenda focused on the rampant and increasingly violent piracy problem. The hijacking of a Japanese vessel and kidnapping of two Japanese nationals in March helped bring the long-standing piracy problem into sharper international focus. Many have also argued it helped give Japan – a long time anti-piracy campaigner, significant user of the straits and active contributor to navigational safety in the straits – the moral ground to more vociferously pursue the issue. 'The international community should put more pressure on the littoral countries to take more aggressive action to address piracy issues,” Ichioka said. He said it was important to take immediate steps to protect smaller vessels like tugs. “We should improve security countermeasures for such small ships,” he said, adding that it was important to evaluate the effectiveness of new measures announced by Malaysia to station armed guards aboard ships transiting the Malacca Strait. “We have to discuss the effectiveness of such measures and we have to consider what kind of self-defensive actions can be taken by shipowners and operators,” he said. He said pressure from the international community has been building, and some progress has been made. “I understand the shipping community has a lot of frustrations and things have been moving very slowly but we should do what we can do now. “We have to go step by step – the change is like three steps forward and two steps backward,” he said, adding that “but it is forward”. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Dire Straits: Competing Security Priorities in the South China Sea by David Rosenberg
From the Taiwan Strait to the Strait of Malacca, security concerns are growing around the South China Sea. While the Bush Administration sees a resurgent Chinese military threat across the Taiwan Strait and a terrorist threat in the Strait of Malacca, many countries between the Straits are more concerned about security for their maritime resources from the threats of competitors, traffickers, poachers, and pirates.
Security Concerns in the South China Sea - Several recent statements and appointments highlight the current Bush administration view of China's threat to Taiwan. Porter Goss, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, warned that improved Chinese capabilities not only threaten Taiwan but also U.S. forces in the (western Pacific) region. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld worried that the Chinese navy was building some amphibious landing ships for possible use across the Taiwan Strait. The appointment of combative neoconservative John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations sends a clear and ominous signal: formerly a paid consultant to the Taiwanese government, Bolton has advocated Taiwan's independence and its full U.N. membership. Then, in February 2005, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and their Japanese counterparts announced a significant alteration in the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance by identifying security in the Taiwan Strait as a "common strategic objective." Has there been any big shift in the balance of power around the Taiwan Strait that warrants this U.S. response? The Chinese defense budget has grown by double-digit increases for the past fourteen years. This year it's up by 12 percent. But that is not significantly faster than the Chinese economy as a whole is growing. China is modernizing its defenses -- adding anti-ship missiles to aircraft, acquiring AWACS-airborne early warning and control systems, guided missile destroyers and frigates. However, its power projection capabilities are limited. It lacks any long-range amphibious capability or support infrastructure to supply forces over long distances for a protracted period. It also lacks heavy cargo-carrying aircraft, comprehensive air defenses, seaworthy ships, and aircraft carriers. Given the current state of Chinese equipment and training, the Chinese have no capability to pursue an expansionist maritime policy in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea. [1] By contrast, the U.S. has overwhelming military superiority and an expansive network of military bases across the Asia-Pacific. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world's largest naval command, including approximately 190 ships, about 1,400 Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and 35 shore installations. Over 300,000 Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Special Operations, and Intelligence military personnel are integrated under the unified command of PACOM, the U.S. Pacific Command. What are China's strategic goals between the Straits? China's Defense White Paper of 2002 emphasizes the importance of pursuing peaceful external relations initiatives through multilateral, cooperative approaches to promote domestic development. The most recent Defense White Paper, published in December of 2004, reiterates this priority. More important than statements of good intentions, however, China has taken significant steps to implement this goal. It was evident in the Framework Agreement on ASEAN-China Comprehensive Economic Cooperation, negotiated in November 2002. That led to the agreement signed in November 2004 to implement an ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (FTA) by 2010. Following the 10th Summit Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in Vientiane, Laos in November 2004, Beijing held its own summit with ASEAN leaders (ASEAN Plus One) and then joined Japan and the Republic of Korea in discussions with ASEAN leaders (ASEAN Plus Three, or APT). Beijing had earlier in November hosted the first Security Policy Conference of the ASEAN Regional Forum. It featured an anti-piracy drill and a workshop on countering terrorism.
Regional Economic and Financial Agreements - Regional economic agreements were the main achievements of these meetings. However, the ASEAN Plus Three sessions identified other areas for cooperation, including deeper cooperation in investment and finance, expanded security dialogue and cooperation, expanded cultural exchanges, and periodic progress reviews. Perhaps the most dramatic developments have occurred in regional financial cooperation. Finance ministers of the ASEAN+3 countries have launched an Asian Bond Markets Initiative and the regional central bankers group set up two Asian Bond Funds in early 2005. These are key steps in addressing one of the major weaknesses in the region's development as indicated by the currency and financial crisis that struck large parts of the region in 1997: the heavy reliance by firms on short-term bank loans for financing. As Jennifer Amyx notes, many countries in East Asia maintain high savings rates but, because of the absence of stable long-term debt markets, the savings deposited into local banks tended to be funneled out to international financial centers and then back into the region as short-term foreign currency loans. This situation creates a problem referred to as a "double mismatch" -- that is, a mismatch between debt maturities (short-term borrowing for long-term investments) and the denomination of this debt (in foreign rather than local currencies). [2] The ASEAN+3 finance ministers had earlier set up a network of bilateral currency swaps to permit a country beset by a speculative attack to draw on reserves of other nations. The program -- the Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI) -- went into effect at the end of 2003. Japan, with the largest reserves in the region, led negotiations over swap arrangements and will play the role of arbitrator for currency loans. China, another potential lender with substantial reserves in excess of potential needs, also lent its support to the CMI. Widespread participation by ASEAN Plus Three members in these initiatives encourages smooth financial liberalization processes and thereby bolsters regional stability. It also reinforces the efforts of various working groups to improve transparency and information dissemination and to strengthen settlement systems and regulatory reforms. China's shift to a more proactive position on regional financial cooperation has greatly facilitated these recent financial developments. As a result, interdependence between the Chinese economy and other economies in the region has deepened significantly in recent years. Today, trade by ASEAN member nations with China far exceeds trade conducted within the ASEAN grouping, while China is predicted to soon overtake the United States as Japan's top trading partner. Levels of investment in China by countries in the region are also extremely high. The worst case scenario is not Chinese domination but a Chinese meltdown, as many regional monetary authorities are quick to note.
How to Eliminate Terrorism in the South China Sea? - At the other end of the South China Sea, American officials are primarily concerned by the terrorist threat to the vital sea lane of the Strait of Malacca. Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, on a visit to Singapore and Malaysia last year warned that seaborne terrorism must be taken as seriously as attacks from the air, especially in the vital Malacca Strait shipping lane. Fargo noted that the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror group was a menace in the region. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he hoped U.S. forces would be hunting terrorists in the Strait of Malacca "pretty soon," as they were already doing with Filipino counter-terrorist troops in Mindanao in the Philippines. To deal with these possible threats, the U.S. has started three major unilateral initiatives, the Container Security Initiative (CSI) the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), and the Regional Maritime Security Initiative (RMSI) directed specifically at the Strait of Malacca. The Container Security Initiative (CSI), first proposed by the U.S. Customs service in January 2002, aims to identify "high-risk" containers and use technology to screen them according to U.S. specifications in the originating ports rather than in the destination ports in the U.S. The program -- compulsory inspection at the origin rather than the destination -- places an enormous financial and security burden on all ports that ship to the U.S. More than half of the top 20 container ports in the world are in or around the South China Sea. In order to be approved as a CSI-port, a government must agree to allow U.S. Customs personnel to supervise the screening of containers bound for ports in the U.S., install screening equipment designed to detect illicit narcotics, as well as radiological, chemical, biological or conventional weapons, submit a detailed electronic manifest to U.S. Customs 24 hours in advance of its projected arrival in the U.S., and upgrade to new "smart container" technologies and designs for U.S.-bound shipping traffic. Remarkably, despite numerous difficulties of implementation, in the first year after the announcement of the CSI, 18 of the top 20 ports that export containers to the United States had complied. In a similar move in December 2004, Australia declared a new 1000-nautical-mile maritime security zone in which all ships traveling to Australia will be required to provide details on their journey and cargo. All vessels coming within a 200-nautical-mile limit of the Australian coast will be required to give extra details on cargo, ports visited, location, course, speed and intended port of arrival. Indonesian authorities objected to the unilateral measure, saying it infringed on Indonesian waters and violated freedom of navigation. As other countries extend their security zones, complications are bound to arise. The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) aims to seize "shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile-related equipment and technologies" -- by sea or air -- before they fall into the hands of terrorist organizations or their state sponsors. Participating states agree to share information related to suspected proliferation activities, interdict the transshipment of WMD, and strengthen national and international laws to allow the "aggressive interdiction of vessels suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction." The PSI Interdiction Principles further state that countries have a commitment to board suspicious vessels sailing within their national waters, to board suspicious vessels flying their own flag in international waters, and to "seriously consider providing consent" to boardings of their own flagged vessels by other PSI states. So far, many states have gone along with CSI and PSI. However, the high costs of compliance evoke images of colonialism and hegemony. The stationing of U.S. Customs officials in the sovereign ports of foreign states might be seen as intrusive. PSI and CSI may also limit the rights of commercial vessels operating internationally to remain free from arbitrary search and seizure. The initiatives are directed exclusively toward safeguarding U.S.-bound shipping, not Asia-bound trade or intra-Asian trade. Further, they exclude WMD and related shipments by the U.S. to its allies. On the whole, CSI and PSI lack transparency, reciprocity, and accountability; they are unilateral U.S. measures prompted by the 9/11 attacks. It may be that this is the necessary cost of increased maritime security in the twenty-first century. If many countries are willing to accept this type of non-consultative and unilaterally-driven process, that would indicate a very significant change in the way international regulations are framed and implemented. It would constitute a major shift from negotiated multilateralism of the post-war system to cooperative unilateralism under post-Cold War American hegemony. In sharp contrast with the CSI and PSI, the Regional Maritime Security Initiative (RMSI) proposed by the United States, has caused much consternation around the South China Sea. Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, introduced the RMSI in a speech to the U.S. Congress on March 31, 2004. He remarked that "we're looking at things like high speed vessels, putting Special Operations Forces on high-speed vessels so that we can use boats that might be incorporated with these vessels to conduct effective interdiction in, once again, these sea lines of communications where terrorists are known to move about and transmit throughout the region." [3] Malaysia and Indonesia immediately and vehemently rejected the idea of U.S. troops in the area, emphasizing their own capabilities in tackling the threat. Malaysian Defense Minister Najib Razak emphasized that the presence of foreign forces in the region or "interdiction" operations in the Strait would not be tolerated. [4] The U.S. began almost immediately to backpedal on the idea. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Walter F. Doran stated that Adm. Fargo's earlier comments on the RMSI had been "misreported," the plan was still very much in its early stages, and it would focus primarily on intelligence sharing not a U.S. troop presence. Another effort to improve shipping safety and security -- the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) -- came into effect in July 2004. Initiated by the UN's International Maritime Organization, the ISPS is more comprehensive and provides more transparency and multilateral participation than the RMSI.
Exclusive Economic Zones, Pirates and Political Conflict - The most important security issues for many countries in the region between the Straits are not the American priorities of containing China or countering terrorism. They are preoccupied with resource claims in their offshore Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ's) -- in particular, fisheries, oil and natural gas -- and in pursuing regional economic integration for their export-oriented economies. Two factors have recently increased concerns about these security issues: the projected increase in shipping traffic and the rise in piracy. Oil tanker traffic -- already high -- will increase substantially with the projected increase in Chinese oil imports. Almost all of this additional Asian oil demand, as well as Japan's oil needs, will be imported from the Middle East and Africa. Most will pass through the strategic Strait of Malacca into the South China Sea, although supertankers going to Japan will use the wider Lombok Straight east of Bali. All the coastal countries around the South China Sea as well as Japan and South Korea -- who depend heavily on oil imports -- have a common interest in the safety and freedom of navigation through these congested and confined waterways. Major shipping nations and shipping companies are working together to pursue these goals through the APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG) for managing port and cargo traffic and through the Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) program. Funded by the World Bank, United National Development Program (UNDP), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the MEH project aims to increase navigational safety through electronic navigational charts and information systems. It can also be extended to search-and-rescue operations, anti-piracy programs, and environmental impact assessment. The large volume of shipping in the South China Sea/Strait of Malacca littoral has created opportunities for attacks on merchant shipping. Piracy can threaten a disaster through a collision, grounding, chemical or toxic spill or closing of a strait. Since the 1990's, around half of the world's reported piracy took place in the South China Sea. The big increase in piracy in Indonesian waters and ports may be attributed to its economic crisis and domestic instability. It may also result from more sophisticated attacks by organized crime groups. The response of coastal countries was delayed by uncertainties over legal jurisdiction, disputed sovereignty, and uncoordinated efforts at recovery of crew, cargo, or ships. Even when pirates were detected, "hot pursuit" across national boundaries was seldom attempted. Sensitive to sovereignty issues in their territorial and EEZ waters, coastal countries have slowly started multilateral programs to monitor piracy attacks and bilateral exercises to coordinate anti-piracy patrols. The International Piracy Control Center in Kuala Lumpur, and the International Maritime Organization's Piracy Reporting Centre in London have stepped up monitoring efforts. The ASEAN Regional Forum convened a meeting of maritime specialists to coordinate coast guard action, information exchange, and investigation of piracy reports.
The most sweeping proposal for eradicating maritime piracy was advanced by Japan, which imports 99% of its petroleum and 70% of its food by sea, mostly through the Strait of Malacca. Ships carry 99% of Japanese exports by volume. Not surprisingly, Japan sees maritime safety as an integral part of its comprehensive security strategy. Its initial anti-piracy proposal envisioned ocean-peacekeeping fleets conducting multinational patrols in both territorial and international waters. This was met with skepticism, if not suspicion, by several Southeast Asian states. Indonesia, in particular, was unwilling to allow Japanese forces to patrol Indonesian waters, and was further reluctant to bear the cost of participating in joint exercises. Faced with disaster relief challenges, separatist struggles, and widespread poverty, Jakarta does not rate piracy as a major security issue. Malaysian policymakers also rejected Japanese joint patrols, concerned about violations of their sovereignty and any limitations on controlling their EEZs. Singapore, possessing interests closely aligned with those of Japan, has been most receptive. Less ambitious bilateral approaches by the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG), however, have enjoyed relative success. As a safety agency, the JCG is a less controversial vehicle for providing regional police service than the more militarized Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The JCG has provided training, equipment, and funding to all the coastal states of the South China Sea, and has conducted joint training exercises with six Southeast Asian states. The JCG has funded the installation and maintenance of navigational aides and buoy-tenders; it has also provided technical assistance to upgrade marine safety data management systems and hydrographic surveys. These efforts have heightened awareness of the problem, and coastal responses have been emerging. In 2003, Malaysia and Thailand started coordinated maritime patrols along their maritime frontier. In 2004, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia began coordinated patrols of the seaways. Putting aside the conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea, China has called for joint exercises with its South China Sea neighbors to control piracy and drug smuggling. [5] Anti-piracy programs address region-wide problems; they cannot succeed without regional cooperation. Gradually, they are emerging. All the major trading countries and their shipping companies in the region have a strong common interest in the safety and freedom of navigation through the perilous, crowded, narrow sea lanes of the South China Sea. They have cooperated in regional and international maritime agencies to combat piracy threatening their vital imports. They have put aside seemingly intractable issues -- such as sovereignty claims in the Spratly Islands -- and adopted a policy of strategic pragmatism to develop regional institutions to resolve intrinsically regional issues. The existing maritime forces between the Straits are primarily concerned with policing their waters to assert sovereignty and to secure maritime resources, especially in disputed areas in and around their EEZ's, in relation to piracy, poaching, smuggling, trafficking, and terrorist threats. The limited military modernization that has taken place has primarily been directed toward securing a minimum level of control over their adjacent seas and their new resource claims in their EEZ's, and has not attempted to fill the gap by the apparent withdrawal of U.S. forces after the Cold War or the possibility of an expansionist neighbor, China. Notwithstanding recent incidents of gunboat diplomacy between Indonesia and Malaysia over oil leases offshore northeast Borneo and violent clashes between Vietnam and China over fishing grounds in the Tonkin Gulf, a modus vivendi has been approached on the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Many claimants have deployed troops to various islands and reefs within the Spratlys, but total occupation of the Spratlys by any one claimant seems highly unlikely. There have been many low-level incidents, but no major wars in the Spratlys or elsewhere, because no country has any major stakes there. They are not astride any major sea lanes and have little intrinsic military significance. While no one will foreclose options because of the lure of resources, none of the claimants seem likely to attempt a military occupation of the entire Spratly group. No claimant has the power projection capability or the ambition to control them or to defend them. Even if they did, it is highly unlikely that any such claims would be recognized regionally or internationally. Hence, all parties appear to be following a strategy of denial rather than a strategy of conquest. The shipping of energy through the South China Sea is currently more important than any possible oil resources in disputed waters. As a consequence, there is now a window of opportunity to pursue regional efforts to ensure safe and secure navigation and to promote regional economic integration. Several bilateral and multilateral agreements for joint resource management have been achieved in recent years. For example, China has signed similar bilateral fisheries agreements with South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam for cooperative resource management of their common fisheries in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. As regional negotiations take shape, more thought needs to be given to finding a creative diplomatic formula for incorporating Taiwan's participation. Taiwan forces occupy the two largest islands in the South China Sea: Pratas Island and Itu Aba. Taiwan has reduced its garrison on Itu Aba; defense responsibilities have been transferred from the ROC Navy to the ROC Coast Guard. This implies that Taiwan is no longer prepared to use force to defend this islet. To the contrary, it is developing facilities for tourism there.
Cross-Strait Conflict and interdependence - There is a curious pattern of accommodation in PRC-Taiwan relations. On the one hand, the PRC views Taiwan as a renegade province while Taiwan views the mainland with cultural empathy but political disdain. On many South China Sea issues, however, they are often in agreement. They have not had any direct confrontations in the South China Sea. They make the same claims, use the same definitions, baselines, and maps in stating their interests in the region. There is even some direct cooperation between China and Taiwan on technical issues. Beyond these governmental links, there are very substantial corporate and personal links between China and Taiwan. Taiwanese firms have invested over US $100 billion on the mainland, more than any other country. Much of this involves the relocation of Taiwanese industries to the Shanghai-Suzhou and Fujian areas. To a large extent, Taiwan's continued economic prosperity is tied to reintegration with the mainland. These economic links of investment and trade are reinforced by millions of personal visits as well as mail and email correspondence. Bonds of marriage also strengthen these ties. Nearly 10% of Taiwanese men marry mainland brides, further tying migrant generations to ancestral origins. These deeply-rooted, long-term economic and demographic trends provide a counterbalance to the often strident political clashes. The longer and broader the cross-Strait engagement, the better the prospects for peaceful coexistence. Unfortunately, the cross-Strait issue has become immersed in domestic politics in Taiwan and China. The recent spate of threats and counter-threats over Taiwan's status is linked to maneuvering among domestic political forces seeking popular support. For example, in March 2005, after China passed its anti-secession law, there were widespread protest demonstrations in Taiwan led by Prime Minister Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Soon after, a large delegation of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party), visited the mainland to encourage trade and political dialogue with China and to pay respects to the memorial shrine of Sun Yat-sen, KMT's founder. This, in turn, was followed in early April by the visit of right-wing Taiwan Solidarity Union party leaders to the Yasukuni shrine, the Japanese war memorial in Tokyo. Clearly issues of national identity and national sovereignty can generate volatile reactions. The big danger across the Taiwan Strait is that misunderstanding and miscalculation, fueled by distrust, xenophobia, and opportunism, may lead to escalating conflict. Senior leaders on both sides of the Strait are beginning to realize the potential consequences if instability erupts into violence. Hu Jintao has recently been signaling that he advocates a long-term policy of stability for eventual reunification. Chen Shui-bian has recently dropped his independence demands. Several Southeast Asian leaders have opposed Taiwan's independence; most explicitly, Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. Lee bluntly stated, "If Taiwan goes for independence, Singapore will not recognize it. In fact no Asian country will recognize it. China will fight. Win or lose, Taiwan will be devastated." The prospect of a military confrontation between the mainland and Taiwan is unlikely, in part because the consequences of such a conflict would be extremely destructive for both sides. Diplomatic efforts are needed to avoid even this remote risk. In the March/April 2005 issue of Foreign Affairs, Kenneth Lieberthal offered a useful proposal to change the focus of negotiations over "independence" and "reunification" to a pragmatic question: what is needed to achieve long-term stability and peaceful coexistence between China and Taiwan? What confidence building measures are needed to reassure security strategists that defensive military developments are not offensive? What legal and administrative means are necessary to resolve routine conflicts that will inevitably occur as commercial and civil relations thicken? The current U.S. attempts to help Taiwan "contain" China and to mobilize support in its global war on terrorism threaten to complicate if not weaken regional security developments. As Ronald Montaperto notes, "the almost daily manifestations of Chinese economic power, the effort to demonstrate commitment to the 'new' principle that the economic development of individual nations is inseparable from the development of the region as a whole, and the broad perception within the region that the Chinese are willing to engage actively in multilateral, cooperative policies have combined to provide Beijing with an unprecedented measure of influence and even clout."[6] The Beijing regime is obsessed with economic stability, because it fears that a severe downturn would trigger social and political upheaval. The last thing it wants is a military confrontation with its biggest trading partner, the United States, or with Japan or Taiwan, each of which are major trade and investment partners. It may go on playing the nationalist card over Taiwan to curry domestic political favor, but there has been no massive military build-up and there is no plausible threat of impending war. [7] To the contrary, China is investing heavily in creating a regional security framework to pursue its domestic development. The U.S. goal of achieving genuine regional maritime security would best be served through cooperation with China -- one of its most important creditors, suppliers, and markets -- rather than confrontation.
NOTES:
[1] Snyder, Craig, "Maritime Security in the South China Sea, Journal of Conflict Studies, 24 (Summer 2004): 97-119.
[2] Amyx, Jennifer, " What Motivates Regional Financial Cooperation in East Asia Today?" Asia Pacific Issues, No. 76, Analysis from the East-West Center, February 2005. http://www.eastwestcenter.org/res-rp-publicationdetails.asp?pub_ID=1587
[3] "Crack U.S. troops may be used to flush out terrorists in key Southeast Asian waterway," Channel News Asia, 5 April 2004. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/78644/1/.html [7 June 2004].
[4] John Burton, "Countries Oppose U.S. Offer to Patrol Malacca," Financial Times, FT.com 5 April 2004; "Malaysia rejects U.S. help to guard Malacca Straits against terrorists," Channel News Asia, 4 April 2004. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/78601/1/.html [7 June 2004].
[5] John F. Bradford, "Japanese Anti-Piracy Initiatives in Southeast Asia: Policy Formulation and the Coastal State Responses," Contemporary Southeast Asia. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. Vol. 26 No. 3, December 2004. pp.480-505
[6] Ronald Montaperto, "Thinking Globally, Acting Regionally," Comparative Connections. Pacific Forum CSIS. October-December 2004. http://csis.org/pacfor/cc/0404Q
[7] Gwynne Dyer, "Fears of A Chinese Military Build-up Are Exaggerated," Canberra Times, March 14, 2005-03-14
David Rosenberg is Professor of Political Science, Middlebury College, Vermont, USA, and Research Fellow, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. He is also editor of the South China Sea Virtual Library, www.middlebury.edu/SouthChinaSea. © Z Magazine Online.

Dutch firm suggests using sea marshals and non-lethal weapon
Sea marshals and non-lethal weapons are among the anti-piracy measures being advocated by a Dutch defence and security consultancy for ships transiting the piracy-prone Malacca Straits. “Ships currently only have water and lights as a defence and we think it is no longer enough,” said TNO marketing director for its security and safety division, Wim L Smith. Smith was referring to the common practice of using a ship’s spot and flood lights along with fire hoses in the often-futile attempt at defending against often heavily armed and increasingly violent pirates. “Co-operation among governments, particularly with the Straits of Malacca, is really a starting ground,” said Smith, reported Singapore’s Shipping Times. “Co-operation has started but it’s not enough, that’s why we are promoting ship self-defence,” he added. Among the self-defence strategies TNO is advocating is the introduction of well-trained non-lethally armed sea-marshals, along with better trained crew able to handle all kinds of crisis and disaster situations, including the use of non-lethal weapons. These weapons include stun grenades, pepper spray, slippery foam dispensers, shootable glue, ultrasound, smoke or water curtains and electromagnetic or pulse weapons. Pulse weapons utilising high-power microwaves have been shown to be effective at demobilising attackers on land, but have not been tested at sea, said Smith. Electrified railings, currently operational in some ships, and automatic water shields would also make it more difficult for pirates to board a ship. Ships should also be designed to incorporate anti-piracy features such as special railings (to making it difficult to board) and an isolated bridge and cabins that could act as 'panic rooms' in the event of an attack. Bridges should also be equipped with cameras and voice recorders to assist in identifying the pirates which could also be published in local/regional publications with rewards for information leading to their capture, said Smith. Early detection is also crucial, he added, noting that new developments in radar and infrared cameras give far superior detection of small vessels, compared with what is currently used aboard most commercial ships. TNO is also urging better intelligence gathering which could include, for instance, a threat identification system via the Internet and an international “incident room” for coordinating intelligence gathering and piracy responses. Smith said aircraft or UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) could also be used to monitor large areas. Acknowledging the need for timely and cost-effective strategies for dealing with the problem locally, Smith said it was important to provide authorities with 'better tools to do better detection'. This includes what he said was new low-cost, highly effective land-based radars capable of clearly identifying even small wooden fishing vessels up to a 20 km range. Smith added that he discussed the possibility of selling the radar to Malaysia following a meeting with Malaysian officials in Kuala Lumpur last month. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Improve ship security to prevent sea robberies bY K. Saithuruka
WHAT can one do to avoid sea robberies? Holding deck watches when entering certain sensitive areas, equipping one’s boat with functional communication and security tools, employing a trained crew to handle crisis situations and exploring new routes in a group would come in handy. Royal Malaysian Navy Assistant Chief of Staff Plans, Strategy and Operations First Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said captains and crew of small boats especially, should be on alert when in sensitive areas along the Straits of Malacca. Unlike big vessels, the targets are usually the smaller ones because of their slow speed and low freeboards. “Boat users should be alert during night sails. If you have to avoid the normal route, go in a convoy. Take appropriate measures to upgrade security, employ qualified crew to handle boats and ensure that your communication system is operational. “It is also important to notify the relevant authorities if they face problems and if they are suspicious of certain boats. “Without such reports, it is difficult to do anything,” he said after witnessing the Navy Special Forces (Paskal) carry out a anti-piracy tactical exercise on the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation Bhd’s (MISC) MV Bunga Kelana 8 in the Straits of Malacca off Tanjong Tuan, Negri Sembilan last week. He said efforts to enhance maritime security should not only fall on the people who enforce it but required pro-active participation from shipping users. Admiral Kamarulzaman said the navy’s Paskal unit was always on alert status. Formed in 1980 with the objective of enhancing naval capabilities in special operations, the unit has been instrumental in conducting several operations. Training with the elite US Navy Seals on a regular basis, Paskal commandoes are highly skilled to handle national security emergencies at sea, particularly securing hostages on board of vessels. Upon undergoing their basic training, these commandoes are also required to qualify as divers and paratroopers to handle specialised sea operations. At sea, it is learnt that this unit is only called in after negotiations have turned futile in the event hostages have to be secured. They are also strategically positioned for easy mobilisation in emergency crisis at sea. Admiral Kamarulzaman said it was imperative that the right capability was utilised for effective response to be given out because managing maritime security was a huge challenge. He said at any one time, the navy had its own three vessels plying the Straits along with the Marine police and customs, while neighbouring countries like Singapore and Indonesia also had their enforcement units patrolling on their waters. Admiral Kamarulzaman also said that sea robberies while unavoidable, could be controlled with the proper measures adopted. “The analogy is the same as securing your house. If you do not lock it, switch on the alarm or lights, there is higher potential of people coming in. Ship crew need training on how to handle situations when such threats come in,” he said. On the exercise, Admiral Kamarulzaman said it acted as a visible deterrent for potential threats, provided exposure to the ship crew on how to handle the situation calmly while providing a real-time platform for Paskal to carry out its duties. It is also meant to test the capability of the unit in such crisis at sea while getting familiar with the make-up of vessels used for such exercises. For instance, Admiral Kamarul-zaman said on the MISC vessel, data obtained on the ship’s configuration and its crew would provide easier and advanced planning if something were to occur on board similar ships in future. In the synchronised mock-up last week, a total of 48 Paskal members acted swiftly and moved in to board the 105,176dwt tonne vessel by air and sea. The Bunga Kelana 8 is an Aframax crude oil tanker with an overall length of 243.56 meters manned by a total crew complement of 27. It is able to load 720,000 barrels of Tapis crude, which is currently valued at US$56 (RM212.80) per barrel. While two teams of troops lowered themselves from a rope from the hovering Nuri and Super Lynx helicopters, four other teams approached the Bunga Kelana 8 in rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), which travel at a speed of 45 knots. Then the “storming in” took place, where the armed commandoes in black outfits and special helmets, took control of the ship and cleared the decks for potential suspects. They then secured and airlifted a hostage, completing the whole mock exercise in five minutes. This sort of exercise was in real time, according to Admiral Kamarulzaman and is usually conducted at night. According to MISC vice-president for fleet management services unit Nordin Mat Yusoff, the company and Paskal have conducted 20 such exercises since the programme was incepted 1987. “However, this is the third year MISC is conducting such an exercise with full-scale involvement of the RMN,” he said. Nordin said such exercises provided exposure to MISC ship staff on the types of assault and recovery measures practised by the navy. According to statistics from MISC, pirates attacked six of its ships in the last three years. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

India frames guidelines for pilotage
THE Indian government has framed guidelines to ensure navigational safety and greater competency in pilotage services, in response to an acute shortage of pilots. The rules are called 'The Navigational Safety in Ports Committee (Model Pilotage) Rules 2005' and are due to come into force shortly. They provide for a course of action for ports, mainly in the selection and training of pilots. Senior DG Shipping officials said the scarcity of pilots has hit almost every major port in India, and minor ports have been left with no choice but to depend on employing private operators of questionable experience, even though their services are available at a much higher cost. Capt MM Saggi, nautical adviser to the Government of India and chairman of the Navigational Safety in Ports Committee, said the pilots should be licensed to the port in which they are operating. "In case of minor ports, pilots are not formally licensed because there have been no proper rules in place. The new guidelines have specified a certain number of years of service, experience in handling ships of different tonnage and only after having gained requisite experience can they secure the position of full tonnage pilot," said Saggi. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Indon daily told to make open apology to Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur - The Deputy Prime Minister has asked Indonesian daily Kompas to make an open apology to Malaysia for an “unethical and baseless” report that he had apologised to Jakarta over Sunday’s incident involving two warships of both countries. In a statement, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was taken aback and was disappointed when he read the report by the daily, which he described as “totally untrue, made-up and irresponsible”. The report on Friday said that Najib had made a verbal apology to Indonesian defence attaché in Malaysia Kol Hartind Hazrin over the incident in which the warships had “brushed” against each other while on patrol at a disputed part of the Sulawesi Sea. Najib said he had not held a meeting nor a discussion with the defence attaché on the incident involving the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) patrol vessel KD Rencong and Indonesia’s KRI Tedung Naga. “Therefore, it does not arise whether I had asked the military officer to convey my apologies to the Indonesian government, whether verbally or in writing. “Furthermore, there is no reason for me to apologise for the incident as the presence of the RMN vessel at the area which is disputed by both countries, is not an offence. “The Royal Malaysian Navy vessel has the right to be at the area at any time just as the Indonesian navy,” he added. The Deputy Prime Minister further pointed out that both countries had agreed to resolve the dispute of overlapping claims in the oil-rich area at the discussion table. “Following the irresponsible report Kol Hartind Hazrin, who was named as a source in the report, will be asked to give an explanation to Defence Intelligence director-general Leftenan Jen Datuk Wan Abu Bakar Omar very soon,” Najib added. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Indon envoy summoned over territorial spate bY Mergawati Zulfakar
Putrajaya - Malaysia has summoned Indonesian ambassador H. Rusdihardjo to hand over a protest note to his country over the collision between a Malaysian naval vessel and an Indonesian warship in the disputed maritime border in the Sulawesi Sea on April 10. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia also received a similar note from Jakarta. “As far as we are concerned, we have not taken any action which is provocative because it is our area. Indonesia’s note said it is their territory and they disagree with Malaysia’s presence there. “We had also sent a protest note after the incident to tell them we do not need approval from anybody because we consider it our area,” he said after receiving contributions to Wisma Putra’s tsunami disaster fund yesterday. Syed Hamid said senior officials from both countries were due to meet in Kuala Lumpur next month as part of continuing talks to resolve territorial claims in the Sulawesi Sea. The first round of meetings was held in Bali last month. On Myanmar taking over the chair of Asean, Syed Hamid said the regional grouping would not be swayed by the United States or the European Union to stop Yangon from assuming the chair because of its record on human rights and democracy. “Asean foreign ministers have told Myanmar of the stumbling blocks if Yangon takes over the chair after Malaysia next year. Myanmar told us that they are sensitive to the views of members. “We are letting Myanmar decide after listening to our views and we hope they will reach a decision by the time the Asean Ministerial Meeting takes place in Laos in July.” © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Indon lines only
Indonesia will ban overseas shipping lines from carrying cargo between the country’s seaports in a move to protect local companies, according to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s March 28 decree, released in Jakarta last week. Indonesia must “apply the Cabotage principle, formulate necessary policies and take steps in order to empower the national shipping companies,” said the decree, reported Singapore’s Shipping Times. The restriction on the Cabotage, or a nation’s exclusive right to operate marine and air traffic within its borders, should be implemented “as soon as possible”, it said. Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago with 18,000 islands, has only a handful of shipping lines like Berlian Laju Tanker and Samudera Indonesia, which together handled a mere three per cent of the country’s 2003 imports and exports and 47% of domestic shipments, the Transport Ministry said. AP Moller’s Maersk unit, Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines, Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine Corp and other international shipping lines handled the remaining 97% of Indonesia’s overseas trade, the ministry said. “We applaud the decree,” said Kevin Wong, a director at Jakarta-based Berlian Laju, Indonesia’s biggest shipping company by market value. The government’s decree could bolster our sales and profit this year,” he said. Indonesia’s Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa has been ordered to reorganise the sea transport network to enable only ships that fly Indonesia’s flag to carry all the cargo between the nation’s ports. The country’s finance ministry will also introduce tax incentives for local shipping lines to expand and banks will be asked to provide loans, the decree said. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Indonesia designates 25 hub ports
INDONESIA has designated 25 ports as international hubs. These include the two largest ports, Tanjung Priok in Jakarta and Surabaya. The move is part of measures to reserve coastal shipping for national flag ships. Director of harbours Djoko Pramono told reporters that the ports had been chosen for their strategic value. Among the criteria for selection were draught, proximity to international shipping routes and security arrangements. Cargo from overseas will have to enter these hub ports before being transported to 'spoke' port. No timetable has been set for registration of these facilities. The government has emphasised that the process of consolidating ports will be gradual and in a phased manner. It is also drafting regulations to govern operations of 565 'special' ports that handle specific bulk cargo such as coal, iron ore, oil and LNG. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Indonesia sends protest note to Malaysia over marine incident
Jakarta (AFP) - Indonesia has sent an official note of protest to Malaysia over last week's incident where warships from the two neighbours brushed sides in a disputed oil-rich maritime area, a minister said Wednesday. "We have already sent the protest yesterday (Tuesday). We stated our position in this case," Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda told journalists at hisoffice. He said a scheduled meeting between both countries' naval chiefs would be held in "one or two days," on the Indonesian island of Batam, just south of Singapore, to discuss "how the tension in that region can be reduced". The navy vessels brushed sides several times near the Karang Unarang reef in the sea east of Borneo island on Friday, where Indonesia is building a lighthouse to strengthen its territorial claims in the disputed region. Warships from both countries have come into close contact several times since February 16 when Malaysia granted an oil concession to Anglo-Dutch firm Shell in the region, a move that angered Jakarta. © The Jakarta Post.

Indonesia, Singapore reaffirm commitment to protect Straits of Malacca?
Jakarta (AP) - Indonesia and Singapore on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to protect the Straits of Malacca which remains a dangerous waterway despite joint naval patrols. Last year, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia launched joint patrols to curb piracy and deter maritime terrorism in the 900-kilometer (550-mile) waterway. Despite the heightened security, dozens of pirate attacks were reported in the Malacca Straits. Meeting in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, the military chiefs of the two countries agreed to step up military cooperation and increase personnel exchanges in an effort to improve the safety of the waterway that borders Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. "We have come to the conclusion that the Malacca Straits have to be secure from pirates," Indonesian military chief Gen. Endriatono Sutarto told reporters. "Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia can work together effectively in order to prevent such attacks." Just last week, pirates hijacked a tin-laden Indonesian ship traveling to Singapore and held the crew captive for two days while unloading the cargo in a Malaysian port, a maritime watchdog said Tuesday. The pirates, believed to be Indonesians, fired gunshots at the ship and boarded it Friday shortly after it had left Muntok port on the southern tip of Sumatra island, said Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur. "The crew members were warned they would be killed if they didn't cooperate," Choong said. The pirates eventually took the ship back into Indonesian waters and escaped in a speedboat, leaving the crew uninjured, Choong said. Indonesia's waters are the world's most pirate-afflicted. Last year, 93 attacks _ more than a quarter of the worldwide total _ were in Indonesia. But that figure did not include another 37 attacks in the Straits of Malacca, a key shipping lane between Sumatra and peninsular Malaysia. © 1999~2005 The China Post.

Indonesia signs cabotage law
Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association long sought Decree to introduce a cabotage law has been signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The Decree was signed by the Indonesian President last week with a requirement that regulations be implemented as soon as possible although exact timeframe was given. The Decree said Ministers were to "apply the cabotage principle, formulate necessary policies and take steps within their respective authority, in order to empower the national shipping companies.” A nation of 17,000 islands Indonesia presents a great many shipping opportunities however many of these have gone to foreign shipowners. Foreign shipping companies moved 97% of import and export cargoes to and from Indonesia in 2003 the Ministry of Transport said. While Indonesia has actual had a Cabotage Law for a number of never actually been enforced however the new Presidential Decree is set to change this. The Decree which Indonesian shipowners have been campaigning for some time is set to bring benefit to the countries shipowners. © 2005 T&F Informa UK Limited.

Indonesia tackles port inefficiency
INDONESIAN trade minister Mari Pangetsu says the government is committed to tackling corruption and improving port efficiency. Efforts will be made to end the practice of charging illegal fees and cut high terminal handling charges, the minister said during a visit to Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. She blamed the high cost of imports and exports for reducing Indonesia’s competitive position in international markets and said an early target for change would be poor infrastructure and management which are seen as the reason for slow processing of containers at state-owned terminals. According to the transport department, average collection time for containers at Indonesian ports is as high as 5.5 days after arrival compared with 3.1 in Japan and just one day in Singapore. More than 60% of Indonesian export cargo has to be transhipped in Singapore because of inefficiency and high costs. Terminal handling charges in Indonesian ports are said to be 40% higher than in Singapore.© Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Indonesia to designate hubs
INDONESIA will designate priority ports under its new hub-and-spoke policy as part of measures to implement the cabotage policy announced last month. Selected ports would be designated as 'international' while those grouped as 'domestic' would be open only to ships flying the Indonesian flag. Director-general of sea transport Tjuk Sukardiman told reporters on 20 April that the move is part of the 'limited window' policy to boost domestic shipping by limiting the number of foreign ships trading in Indonesian waters. The designation of harbours will be co-ordinated by state-owned port operator Pelabuhan Indonesia (I-IV), which managers 110 out of the 141 existing international harbours. A number of these facilities are no longer operational and the exercise is aimed at bringing down the figure to realistic levels. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Indonesia won’t boost presence in disputed Area
Jakarta - The Indonesian navy has no plans to send more ships to an oil-rich area also claimed by Malaysia, despite a collision between two of their warships, a report said April 10. On April 8 the Indonesian navy’s Tedung Naga collided several times with Malaysia’s Rencong near a reef off the coast of Borneo island, where Indonesia is building a lighthouse. “For the time being there will be no reinforcement. We will remain at our current position and our seven warships will also be maintained there,” said Indonesian Navy Chief Vice Admiral Slamet Subiyanto, quoted by the Detikcom online news service. Subiyanto also said the navy has no plans to seek the help of the army or air force, and the Indonesian government wants to avoid any open conflict with Malaysia in the Ambalat maritime area. The navy spokesman could not be reached for comment. But Kompas newspaper said the two ships brushed against each other at least three times on April 8, damaging the port side of the Indonesian ship and the bow of the Malaysian vessel. The Eastern Fleet Taskforce Commander, First Admiral Suparno, told Kompas the Indonesian vessel had warned the Malaysian ship against approaching the lighthouse being built by Indonesia on Unarang reef. Last month officials from Indonesia and Malaysia began negotiations to settle the dispute over the area. They are to meet again in May. Warships from both countries have come into close contact several times since Feb. 16, when Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas granted Shell a concession in the area. Indonesia says the blocks awarded by Petronas are not in Malaysia’s territory. The two countries have locked horns over the region before. A dispute over the ownership of two islands ended in December 2002 with an International Court of Justice ruling that the islands belong to Malaysia. Indonesia waged a limited war against Malayan and British forces over the future of Borneo island in 1963 after the British relinquished control. The conflict known as Konfrontasi (Confrontation) ended three years later as Jakarta focused on internal problems. © DefenseNews.com.

Indonesian seafarers kidnapped from tugboat by Marcus Hand
FIVE heavily armed pirates kidnapped three Indonesian seafarers from a Malaysian-registered tugboat that was sailing in Southern Philippines waters on Wednesday. The five pirates armed with M16 and AK47 assault rifles, chased the tug Bogaya 91 and the barge it was towing Bogaya 92 and caught up with it just as it was about to approach the Malaysian maritime border near Pulau Mataking, off Semporna, in the east coast of Sabah on Wednesday morning Bernama news agency reported. They fired three warning shots before taking the Master and two other crew members hostage. After ripping out communications equipment the pirates fled with their hostages towards the southern Philippines. The three crew members left onboard the tug and informed the authorities once they reached the Malaysian port of Sandakan. While much of the focus on piracy and kidnapping is in the Northwest of the Malacca Straits, a similar kidnapping of three members of a Malaysian tugboat took place in the same area in April last year. The three hostages and their kidnappers have not been heard of since but in January this year, security forces in Sabah said they believed that the three had died while in captivity, either due to illness or were killed by their captors. The Malaysian authorities here are still obtaining the DNA report to find out whether the skeletal remains found on Tawi-Tawi island by the Philippine authorities were those of the three hostages. © 2005 T&F Informa UK Limited.

Indonesians win presidential boost
Indonesian ship owners are upbeat over the new presidential decree on cabotage that reserves coastal shipping for the national fleet. “We are aiming for an annual growth of 30% in our domestic market share,” said Oentro Surya, chairman of the Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association. The country's newly-elected president, Susilo Bambang Yudhyono, signed a presidential instruction on 28 March underlining the principle of cabotage. The move is expected to encourage the growth of the national fleet. Foreign flag ships account for almost 95% of Indonesia’s export and import trade and more than 40% of the coastal cargo. A spokesman for the president explained that the instruction was issued to 'invigorate' the domestic shipping industry. Local owners, who will be provided tax concessions, are expected to have sufficient fleet within three years to dominate the coastal trade, the presidential office said. State-owned enterprises would be offered incentives to ship cargo on national flag vessels. A team of 13 ministers would oversee the implementation of the cabotage policy. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Jakarta denies deal over sea dispute
The head of Indonesia's armed forces on today said he had no knowledge of an agreement with Malaysia to limit their naval presence in a disputed maritime area to a single warship each. General Endriartono Sutarto said he had received no confirmation of claims by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak that the two sides have agreed to scale back their fleets in the Sulawesi sea off eastern Borneo. "There has been so far no report," Sutarto, accompanied by Navy Chief Vice Admiral Slamet Subiyanto, told reporters. "It is a must for us to be present there," he said when asked whether the navy would reduce its deployment to one vessel. Najib, who is also defence minister, said that the agreement had been reached at a recent meeting between the Malaysian and Indonesian naval chiefs. But Subiyanto also said he had no report of such agreement. Earlier this month warships from the two countries brushed sides near the Karang Unarang reef east of Borneo island, where Indonesia has built a lighthouse to strengthen its territorial claims in the disputed region. Both countries have lodged official protests with each other over the incident. Tensions have been high in the area after Malaysia granted an oil concession in the region on February 16 to Anglo-Dutch firm Shell. Jakarta says the blocks awarded by state oil firm Petronas are not in territory controlled by Malaysia. Officials from both sides begun negotiations to settle the overlapping claims to the area last month and are due to meet again in May. The two countries have locked horns over the region before. A dispute over the ownership of two islands ended in December 2002 with an International Court of Justice ruling that the islands belong to Malaysia. © 2005 News Limited.

Japan asks Indonesia to boost security in Malacca Strait
Jakarta, Indonesia - Japan's counterterrorism envoy asked the Indonesian government to boost security in the Malacca Strait, a strategic shipping lane where pirates regularly launch attacks on vessels. U.S. officials have also raised concerns that international terrorists might stage attacks on ships using the channel to disrupt world trade. The waterway is bordered by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Last month, pirates attacked a Japanese-registered tugboat in the strait, and kidnapped two Japanese sailors who were later released unharmed. Akio Shirota, Japan's counterterrorism envoy, met with Indonesian ministers Thursday to seek greater cooperation in securing the strait, according to a statement Friday by the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta. "Shirota reiterated the request to the Indonesian government to strengthen their security measures in the strait,'' said the statement. It gave no more details. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore currently jointly patrol the waterway, which is plied by more than 50,000 vessels each year. Some estimates say as much as a quarter of the world's commerce and half of its oil supplies pass through the strait every year. Last year, the International Maritime Bureau recorded 37 pirate attacks in the Malacca Strait. - AP © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Malaysia and Singapore to sign agreement on reclamation work by Jane Ritikos and M. Krishnamoorthy
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia and Singapore will sign a Settlement Agreement tomorrow, bringing an end to the dispute over the republic's land reclamation in the Straits of Johor. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that following the signing of the agreement in Singapore, Malaysia would withdraw its case against its neighbour at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and Singapore would make adjustments to the reclamation work. “Malaysia will withdraw its case and Singapore has agreed to certain things, including the ecological and environmental aspects (of the reclamation). “Singapore will make some adjustments to the work being carried out and has agreed that there must be a consultation mechanism for both countries,” he said when contacted in Jakarta yesterday. The agreement will be signed by Foreign Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Abd Razak and Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large Prof Tommy Koh. Ahmad Fuzi was the agent of the Malaysian Government and Prof Koh the agent of the Singapore Government during the ITLOS hearing in September 2003. Syed Hamid, who was in Jakarta to attend the Asia-Africa Summit with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said the agreement would be presented to ITLOS as part of the consent judgment by both countries. On Malaysia's contention that the reclamation would affect the disputed maritime boundary south of Tuas, known as Point 20, Syed Hamid said both parties agreed for this issue to be negotiated separately and in accordance with international laws. “We will be looking at it from purely discussions to find an amicable resolution. If we cannot find a resolution, we will act according to international laws,” he said. The dispute between both countries arose in December 2002, when Singapore began reclamation activities along the eastern and western parts of the Straits of Johor near the Malaysian mainland. The republic’s reclamation work, involving 5,214ha of sea area and expected to be completed in 2010, would lengthen the headland in Tuas by 7km and double the size of Pulau Tekong. Malaysia referred the dispute to the ITLOS, which on Oct 8, 2003 directed both countries to conduct a joint study and propose mitigating measures. The tribunal also directed Singapore not to conduct land reclamation that may cause irreparable damage to Malaysia’s interests or serious harm to the marine environment. In January this year, both parties agreed to settle their dispute over the reclamation in what negotiators from both countries described as a “fair and balanced” deal. In a joint statement, both governments had said they had agreed to use recommendations by an independent group of experts as “the basis of a mutually acceptable and beneficial solution.” The breakthrough deal was brokered between officials of both sides after two rounds of meetings – in December last year in Singapore and in mid-January in the Netherlands. © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Malaysia cautions armed escorts
MALAYSIA has threatened to detain vessels providing armed escorts to commercial ships. Director of Internal Security and Public Order, Othman Talib told a press conference yesterday that the marine police have been instructed to detain such boats and arrest the crew if they encroached on Malaysian waters. Ship owners have been increasingly seeking armed escorts in the face of rising incidents of violent attacks on merchant ships in the Malacca and Singapore straits. Othman stressed that private escort companies should obtain permits from the Ministry of Internal Security, Malaysian news agency Bernama has reported. Singapore-based Background Asia Risk Solutions (BARS) told Fairplay it would seek clarification from Malaysian authorities on the latest directive. BARS operates an escort vessel available anywhere between Sri Lanka and the South China Sea for about $50,000 a mission, according to press sources. “We took legal advice to ensure what we were doing is in accordance to the laws of each state we operate in,” BARS managing director Alex Duperouzel said. The company is reported to have provided 12 escort missions to date. Meanwhile, Malaysia has established a new agency called the National Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to step up co-ordinated patrols. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Malaysia gives ports full backing
Malaysian transport minister Chan Kong Choy says the government has committed its full support to make the country's ports competitive. Chan told reporters at Tanjung Pelepas today the government will provide loans, incentives and everything else needed. The minister officiated at a ceremony to hand over the satellite-based automatic steering and container position verification system known as Smartrail developed by Finland’s Kalmar Industries. Chan said the government and the port have been formulating policies and strategies for implementation at PTP. “Ports must invest in the right cranes, loaders, quay expansions and information technology,” he added. Ken Loh, president of Kalmar Asia Pacific confirmed that the implementation of the system, which aims to improve terminal productivity, is the first in Asia. PTP has been in operation for six years and handled 4M TEU in 2004. More than 90% of the throughput was transhipment cargo from stakeholder Maersk Sealand and Evergreen Marine. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd.

Malaysia refutes Indonesian news report
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak Saturday refuted a report that he had apologized for the incident in which Malaysia and Indonesia had brushed against each other in a disputed area in the Sulawesi Sea. "I was shocked and disappointed when I read the report because it's not true, and is concocted and irresponsible," the deputy prime minister said in a statement released here. He was commenting on a report by Kompas, Indonesian newspaper, Friday, which quoted Indonesian navy information chief First Admiral Abdul Malik Yusuf as saying that Najib, as Malaysian defense minister, had orally extended his apology to the Indonesian defense attache in Kuala Lumpur, Colonel Hartind Hazrin, ver the incident. Kompas quoted Abdul Malik as saying that the apology was later conveyed to its Eastern Fleet Commandant, First Admiral Soeparno. Last Friday, the Malaysian navy's patrol vessel KD Rencong and Indonesia's KRI Tedung Naga warship "brushed" against each other while on patrol, causing small damages to both ships. Najib said he never met nor talked to Hartind on the incident. "So, there's no question of me asking the military officer to extend my apology to the Indonesian government regarding the incident, either orally or in writing," Najib said. "Moreover, there's no reason for me to apologize over the matter because the presence of the Royal Malaysian Navy ship in the area disputed by the two countries is not an offense," he said. Najib stressed that both countries had agreed to settle the dispute through negotiations. He said Kompas must make an open apology to the people of Malaysia over the publication of the unethical and unfounded report. The spat over offshore oil fields flared up in February, when Malaysian national oil company, Petronas, awarded oil exploration right in an area of the Sulawesi Sea to international oil giant Shell, which was also claimed by Indonesia. Indonesia granted a concession in Ambalat Block of the Sulawesi ea to ENI, an Italian company, in 1999 and to Unocal, a US company, last year. The war of words, the dispatching of warships and military planes by both sides to the disputed area of the Sulawesi Sea has worsen the situation that threatens the bilateral relation. © Xinhua News Agency.

Malaysia has 'strong case' over disputed territory with Indonesia: PM
Putrajaya, Malaysia (AFP) - Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Wednesday Malaysia has a "strong case" for sovereignty over an oil-rich maritime area also claimed by neighboring Indonesia. Malaysian warships, which have recently come into close contact with Indonesian navy vessels, would remain in the area east of Borneo island to protect the territory, he told a news conference. Abdullah's remarks come after Indonesia Tuesday sent a protest note to Malaysia over an incident last week in which warships from the two neighbors brushed sides. "They (Malaysian warships) have not left the area. We also think we have a strong case," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Malaysia regarded the territory as its own and hence had the right to have a naval presence in the area. "That area is regarded as our territory. We have the right to be there whenever we want," he said. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Wednesday a scheduled meeting between naval chiefs of the two countries would be held in "one or two days" on the Indonesian island of Batam, just south of Singapore, to discuss "how the tension in thatregion can be reduced". Tensions rose when Malaysia on Feb 16 granted an oilconcession in the region to Anglo-Dutch firm Shell, a move that angered Jakarta. Indonesia, meanwhile, is building a lighthouse to strengthen its territorial claims in the disputed region. © The Jakarta Post.

Malaysia nabs pirate gang
Seven pirates suspected of a series of attacks on vessels in the Malacca Straits have been arrested after a high-speed chase off southern Malaysia. The gang, from Indonesia's Riau islands, is believed to be responsible for several robberies on fishing boats and cargo vessels over the last two years, marine police commander Abdul Rahman Ahamd, said. "Their modus operandi is to enter Malaysian waters, make a strike and rush back to international waters," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times newspaper. The men, aged between 37 and 50, were arrested on Thursday night by 14 marine police who had been in two boats patrolling the waters off Kota Tinggi town following a tip-off. "The pirates tried to escape upon seeing the (police) team approaching but the patrol boats caught up with them and forced them to stop," Abdul Rahman was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper. A marine police official confirmed the arrest. He said the men were being detained at a police station for questioning and are expected to be charged in court soon. Abdul Rahman said the gang was believed to be involved in a robbery on April 8 aboard a Japanese oil tanker, anchored about eight km from Tanjung Pelepas, a port at the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia. That was the fifth such raid since February in the Malacca Strait, a pirate-infested shipping lane bordered by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. More than 50,000 vessels ply the waterway each year. Last year, the International Maritime Bureau recorded 37 pirate attacks in the Malacca Strait, despite coordinated patrols by the three nations. © 2005 The Age Company Ltd.

Malaysia summons Indonesian ambassador over maritime incident
Malaysia has summoned Indonesia's ambassador to protest about an incident in which ships from the two countries' navies confronted each other in disputed waters last week. The move follows a protest by Indonesia earlier this week. Jakarta says the ships "brushed" when the Indonesian vessel tried to drive the Malaysian ship away from its territorial waters. Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, says the area is within Malaysia's maritime border, and the country's ships will continue to patrol the area, despite Jakarta's objections. The potentially oil-rich waters are close to the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, which Indonesia lost to Malaysia in a legal battle in December 2002. The naval chiefs of both countries will meet in Indonesia's Batam island near Singapore later this week to try to resolve the row. © Australian Broadcasting Corportation.

Malaysia to deploy armed police on tugs and barges
Malaysia will deploy police with assault weapons on tugs and barges plying the busy shipping lanes of the Malacca Strait, in an effort to thwart pirate attacks, a news report said Friday. The officers will be deployed next month to boost security and restore shippers’ confidence in the piracy-infested waterway, the New Straits Times reported, citing Othman Talib, Malaysia’s internal security chief. Last year, the International Maritime Bureau recorded 37 pirate attacks in the 885 km strait, despite co-ordinated patrols by Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Most attacks involved pirates opening fire on vessels and kidnapping their crew for ransom. More than 50,000 vessels ply the waterway each year. Mr Othman said three pirate attacks occurred this year, two involving tugs and barges and one a fishing vessel, the report said. “We have received several complaints from worried shippers and we have to assure them that the safety of their goods and the crew on the boats is being taken care off,” Mr Othman told the newspaper. © Informa Asia Publishing.

Malaysia to import 169,000 workers to fill shortage
Putrajaya, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysia plans to hire 169,000 foreign workers to overcome an acute labour shortage after a crackdown on illegal migrants, a minister said on Monday. Under a revolving-door immigration policy, Malaysia recently shooed out 382,000 illegal foreign workers, most of them Indonesians who left under a four-month amnesty against prosecution, and promised to let them return if they applied for work visas. Malaysia's ties with Indonesia were strained by the crackdown and by a dispute over a maritime border that the neighbours have decided to settle through talks. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters only 11,000 Indonesians had returned so far. "We have approved an intake of 75,000 to enable more Indonesians to return," he said in Malaysia's administrative capital, Putrajaya. "This is on top of an intake of 94,000 approved earlier. "We hope the Indonesian authorities will take note of this and hope they will send their workers as soon as possible," he said, adding the Indonesians would be exempted from induction courses that are usually mandatory ahead of employment. Malaysia has blamed Indonesian red tape and processing fees for an administrative bottle-neck. Positions not taken up by Indonesian workers could be filled with workers from other Asian countries, such as India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam, officials said. With a population of 25 million, Malaysia is already home to 1.5 million legal foreign workers, 1 million Indonesians among them. As many as 400,000 illegal workers remain in the country. Malaysia has arrested 4,200 illegal migrants since the sweep began on March 1, Najib said. They face a fine and jail, and men younger than 50 may also be whipped. Malaysia relies on foreign unskilled labour to do dirty, poorly paid work that locals shun, but the numerous illegal workers cause government a fiscal and administrative headache, since they pay no tax and live in unregulated shanty towns. The growing shortage of workers has hit a range of industries, from construction to plantations, as well as many small businesses, such as restaurants and telephone kiosks. Najib said Malaysia's move to diversify its sources of labour was not politically motivated. "We are being practical. We require the workers and are giving every avenue to Indonesia to supply their workers but at the same time we have to source from other countries," he said. "Please don't give it a political overtone." © Reuters 2005.

Malaysia warns straits gun guards
Any merchant ship using a private armed escort service in the pirate-infested Straits of Malacca will be detained, a top Malaysian security official has warned. Director of Internal Security Othman Talib was responding to a private security firm offering escorts to ships plying Asian waters. Singapore-based Background Asia Risk Solutions has an armor-plated vessel that accompanies ships anywhere between Sri Lanka and the South China Sea for about US$50,000 (HK$390,000) a mission. It employs 60 former members of military units from Singapore and elsewhere, who go on missions with assault rifles. Another Singapore-based company that provides armed escorts is Malacca Straits Maritime Security, whose personnel include armed Gurkhas, according to a report in The Straits Times. Othman said Wednesday that directives had gone to marine police commanders to detain any such boat in Malaysian waters and arrest the crew. A crew could be categorized as ``terrorists'' or ``mercenaries'' and charged under the Internal Security Act, he said. Any private security firm seeking to operate in Malaysia would need a permit from his ministry, he said. Malaysia's marine police are prepared to provide escort services, he added, and units already escort Japanese merchant ships in the straits. Background Asia Risk Solutions managing director Alex Duperouzel said his firm indeed provide armed escorts in Malaysian waters, but he is confident that operations are legal. Background Asia ``continually liaised'' with Malaysian and other authorities about its operations, he said, but he would likely seek clarification following Othman's comments. The Straits of Malacca, the waterway between Sumatra and mainland Southeast Asia, is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, plied by 50,000 vessels a year. The ease with which pirates board oil tankers has given rise in recent years to concerns that terrorists may be inspired to hijack one for use as a floating bomb. But Malaysia has rejected ideas that the United States or other foreign navies help with patrols. Rather, it intends to intensify its own efforts, having formed a new maritime agency that will begin patrolling the straits in June with six patrol boats - AFP © 2005 The Standard Newspaper Ltd.

Malaysia, Indonesia agree to limit warships in disputed area
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed that only one warship from each country should patrol a disputed oil-rich maritime area following recent clashes, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Sunday. The withdrawal of all other navy vessels from the area in the Sulawesi Sea off the coast of Borneo island would be done simultaneously, Najib, who is also defence minister, was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency. He said Malaysia has welcomed the agreement, which was reached at a recent meeting between the Malaysian and Indonesian naval chiefs. Earlier this month warships from the two countries brushed sides near the Karang Unarang reef east of Borneo island, where Indonesia is building a lighthouse to strengthen its territorial claims in the disputed region. Both countries have lodged official protests with each other over the incident. Tensions are high in the area after Malaysia granted an oil concession in the region on February 16 to Anglo-Dutch firm Shell. Jakarta says the blocks awarded by state oil firm Petronas are not in territory controlled by Malaysia. Officials from both sides begun negotiations to settle the overlapping claims to the area last month and are due to meet again in May. The two countries have locked horns over the region before. A dispute overthe ownership of two islands ended in December 2002 with an International Court of Justice ruling that the islands belong to Malaysia.(*) © The Jakarta Post.

Malaysian, Indonesian navy chiefs to meet soon
Kuala Lumpur - Chiefs of Malaysian and Indonesian navies will meet in Indonesia soon as a continuing measure towards resolving the overlapping maritime border issue between the two countries, a Malaysian leader said Monday. "(In resolving the matter), we use the approach of political leaders at the highest level engaging in talks with each other, and this also goes to the leaders of the armed forces of the two countries," Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, No. 2 man in Malaysia, told reporters in Putrajaya, the Federal Administrative Center, near here. "And in a day or two, our naval chief (Admiral Datuk Seri Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Nor) will be meeting his counterpart," said Najib, who is also Defense Minister. He added that the government encouraged relevant parties from both sides to engage in discussions with each other either in formal or informal setting. The meeting will take place following a reported incident in which Malaysian and Indonesian navy vessels brushed against each other in the Sulawesi Sea two days ago. The dispute erupted after Malaysia's oil company Petronas awarded oil exploration rights in two exploration blocks in the Sulawesi Sea to Shell. Jakarta protested against the move, claiming that the resource-rich area in question was within Indonesia's territorial waters. Concerned over the repercussions of the dispute on bilateral ties, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed that the matter should be resolved via diplomatic talks. © Xinhua News Agency.

Malaysian PM denies report about position in Sulawesi issue
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Wednesday denied a news report, which said Malaysia had admitted that the Indonesian position in the Sulawesi maritime issue was stronger than Malaysia's. "I have never said that. (Deputy Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib also never said it. (Foreign Minister Datuk Seri) Syed Hamidnever said it," Abdullah told reporters in Putrajaya, Federal Administrative Center near here. "We think we have a strong case," Abdullah said when asked to comment on the report which quoted Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono as having said on Monday that Malaysia had acknowledged in a meeting that Indonesia's position was stronger than Malaysia's in the maritime tussle. The issue arose after Indonesia protested against the award of two oil and gas exploration blocks in the Sulawesi Sea by Petronas, Malaysia National Oil Company, to international oil company Shell in February. Jakarta said the blocks were in Indonesian waters but Malaysia refuted the Indonesian claim. However, leaders of the two countries have agreed that the issue should be settled amicably through talks. Patrols by naval ships of the two sides in the Sulawesi Sea have caused tension and an incident occurred last week when a Malaysian and an Indonesian ship "brushed" against each other. © Xinhua News Agency.

Malaysian Web sites face 'overwhelming' attacks by Indonesian hackers, says watchdog
Kuala Lumpur (AP) - Hundreds of Malaysian Web sites were hacked into and defaced this year, evidently by Indonesians upset over a territorial spat between the neighboring countries, an Internet watchdog said. At least 256 Malaysian sites were broken into in the first three months of 2005, compared to 42 intrusions reported in the previous quarter, Malaysia's Computer Emergency Response Team, or MYCert, which monitors Internet security, said in its quarterly report seen Monday. Most hackings were in March, when a war of words brewed between Malaysia and Indonesia amid a long-standing dispute over the oil-and gas-rich area in the Ambalat region of the Sulawesi Sea. "We received an overwhelming number of reports on Web defacements of local Web sites, which had caused lots of annoyances and disturbances to our country," MYCert, a private organization, said in the report. The hackers left messages of "hatred or dissatisfaction against the government of Malaysia and its ministers," the group said. It said the hackings were believed to be the work of Indonesians, and the group asked the Indonesian government to appeal to its citizens to stop the attacks. However, there was no severe damage to Malaysia's computer network infrastructure, it said. The group did not identify the sites hacked, but industry observers say they included home pages belonging to state-run universities, museums and other government-backed institutions. Successful hackings subsided in recent weeks after MYCert urged Web site owners to improve their software and eliminate other vulnerabilities in their system, the report said. Tensions flared in the Sulawesi Sea after Malaysia awarded exploration rights earlier this year to oil blocks in the region, which is also claimed by Indonesia. Both countries deployed warships there amid mutual accusations of trespass and violation of maritime borders. Both governments have set up a technical team to study the competing claims after their leaders agreed in late March to work together to resolve the problem peacefully. (*) © The Jakarta Post.

Military exercises bring joint patrols closer by Mark Forbes
Military exercises in the Timor Sea this week are the first step towards joint Australian and Indonesian military patrols, Defence Minister Robert Hill has revealed. Senator Hill said he held "very positive" talks with Indonesia's Defence Minister and military chiefs in Jakarta at the weekend over accelerating defence links. The joint air force exercise is the first since tensions during the 1999 East Timor crisis. Senator Hill said a joint naval exercise was planned this year and other operations would follow. Last week Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister John Howard backed a possible new security treaty and increased military links. The Timor Sea has assumed strategic significance with the risk of terrorist attacks against oil rigs. Australia has interests in preventing people-smuggling and illegal fishing in the area. The United States has suggested joint international naval patrols in the region, with concerns about terrorists and pirates in the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia. Senator Hill said joint and co-ordinated patrols and surveillance flights were "our ultimate hope and its something that we've discussed. The purpose of the exercise is firstly to see if we can do it effectively jointly and secondly an element of continuing confidence-building between the two forces." Moves towards joint security interests had "really started to accelerate now", he said. Indonesia's political and military leaders were "very positive" about joint or co-ordinated patrols, he said. The exercise, until week's end, involves concurrent maritime surveillance by an Indonesian B737 aircraft and an RAAF AP-3C Orion. © 2005 The Age Company Ltd.

Najib may sue Kompas by Sim Leoi Leoi
Putrajaya - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is mulling over the possibility of taking legal action against an Indonesian daily, Kompas, which had reported him as having apologised to Jakarta over an incident involving two warships of both countries. “I may lodge an action against the daily, including a legal action, to dispute the report made by Kompas. “However, I will refer the matter to our Attorney-General on whether the Malaysian Government can take such legal action against a media in Indonesia,” he told reporters after participating in a bowling competition organised by the Sports and Welfare Club of his office at Alamanda Mall here yesterday. Najib was commenting on a statement by his office on Sunday asking Kompas to make an open apology to Malaysia for the “unethical and baseless” report. The report in Kompas on Friday had said that Najib had made a verbal apology to Indonesian defence attaché in Malaysia Kol Hartind Hazrin over the incident in which the warships had “brushed” against each other while on patrol at a disputed part of the Sulawesi Sea. Najib said he had also directed Defence Intelligence director-general Leftenan Jen Datuk Wan Abu Bakar Omar to meet with Kol Hartind to ask if “he (Najib) had made such a statement”. To a question if he would send a “protest note” to the Indonesian government over the matter, Najib said he was not sure such a move would be appropriate as it involved a media organisation in Indonesia. “What we have done now is to inform everyone that the Kompas report was false because it is such a baseless allegation,” he said, describing the report as entirely a “work of fiction”. On yet another earthquake in Sumatra on Saturday, Najib assured the public that the authorities would beam across any guideline or safety precaution through the country’s mass media to the public should the need arise. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Norway may sidestep mothballs for duty in Malaysia by Tom Stieghorst
The SS Norway isn't headed for the scrap heap, at least for now. Norwegian Cruise Line said on Tuesday the venerable ocean liner will be sent to Malaysia for use in an undisclosed new venture. The move will also give custody of the ship to NCL's parent company, Hong Kong-based Star Cruises Group. Crippled by a boiler explosion in May 2003 in Miami that killed eight crew members, the Norway has been docked in Germany for the past 18 months awaiting a decision on its fate. The ship was once the flagship of NCL and sailed for many years from Miami on weekly cruises to the Caribbean. NCL said it has spent $10 million on upkeep in Germany but cannot continue to do so. The line is trying to clear its balance sheet of the Norway in preparation for a possible public offering of stock later this year. Since the explosion, several buyers have shown interest in turning the 43-year-old liner into a floating resort in Europe. Built in 1962 as the France, the ship has classic maritime lines and period fixtures that appeal to cruise buffs. However, conversion would involve asbestos removal and extensive refurbishment. Fixing the ship to sail again might require replacing the other three boilers with more modern engines and updating it to meet new safety codes. In a statement, NCL said Star Cruises is making arrangements to have the Norway towed to Port Klang in Malaysia for use in a new venture, "details of which will remain undisclosed for the time being." The National Transportation Safety Board has yet to release its final report on the accident or pinpoint a cause for the fatal boiler explosion. © 2005 Sun-Sentinel Co. & South Florida Interactive, Inc.

Oil tanker fights off pirates
Singapore (Reuters) The crew of a Japanese oil tanker have used powerful fire hoses to fend off an attack by pirates in the Singapore Strait. The International Maritime Bureau said pirates in seven fishing boats accosted the east-boundtanker near Indonesia's Karimun Islands on Tuesday afternoon -- the third attack on a Japanesevessel in three weeks in the busy shipping lane which carries more than a quarter of world trade. Jayant Abhyankar, deputy director of the IMB said pirates from one of the boats steered closeto the Japanese vessel and attempted to board the tanker while the remaining six hoveredaround it. But the small craft was beaten off by strong water jets from fire hoses used by the crew. Thetanker then increased speed and fled. The centre could not confirm the total number of pirates or if they were armed, but said alltwenty-five crew members of the vessel were safe. The Singapore and Indonesian coast guards have been alerted, said Abhyankar. The watchdog has repeatedly warned of a "potential human and environmental catastrophe" ifan oil tanker is hijacked in the strategic sea lane. The narrow strait between Malaysia and Indonesia, with Singapore at its southern entrance,links trading and oil centres in the Middle East, Asia and Europe, with over 50,000 commercialvessels travelling the 805-km (500-mile) channel between the Indonesian island of Sumatra andthe Malaysian peninsula to Singapore each year. The International Maritime Bureau said nearly a third of the 325 cases of recorded pirateattacks last year happened in Indonesian waters, including the Malacca Strait. © swissinfo SRI.

One-third of piracy cases happen in SEA region by Loong Meng Yee
Statistics show that about one-third of piracy cases happen in the waters surrounding the South-East Asia region, prompting a senior French Navy officer to stress on the need for closer anti-piracy information sharing. “There are about 400 cases of reported piracy cases around the world annually. It is a concern to us all,” said Vice-Admiral Xavier Rolin, commander of the French Navy in the Indian Ocean maritime zone. He said Malaysia, Singapore, India and Thailand exchange information on piracy and “if these countries can extend co-operation to other countries, we envision a mutually beneficial information sharing.” The profile of pirates had not changed over the years, he said, and they range from small-timers who rob vessels to organised pirates who target cargo and hijack ships. Rolin leads from the FNS Marne, a command-and-supply ship that patrols the Indian Ocean to ensure security in the main sea-lanes of the Suez Canal, the Horn of Africa, and the Straits of Malacca. In the course of patrolling the Indian Ocean, the French Navy had helped ships attacked by pirates, Rolin told reporters at the ship’s courtesy call at Southport in Port Klang last week. FNS Marne is touring the South-East Asia region until June. ”There is an average of one piracy case in the Horn of Africa every month,” he said. Rolin said the French Navy ships team patrolling the Indian Ocean had been successful in helping ships overcome pirate attacks because it could provide fast and efficient assistance to the ships that had been attacked. Rolin hopes the same kind of assistance can be provided to ships sailing the Straits of Malacca. However, he is mindful that the Straits of Malacca is within national territory, and not international waters. “I know the countries involved such as Malaysia, Singapore, India and Thailand have exchange of information on anti-piracy. “If these countries have in mind to extend co-operation to other countries, we envision a mutually beneficial information sharing,” said Rolin. © Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Only marine police can provide escort
Johor Baru - Only the marine police are permitted to provide security escort service to merchant vessels plying the Straits of Malacca. The Federal Director of Internal Security and Public Order, Datuk Othman Talib, warned today that stern action would be taken against anyone else offering such services to merchant vessels. He said the Internal Security Ministry had never issued permits to companies to provide escort services. "Anyone who carries huge quantities of weapons in their vessels to provide security services can be detained as they are infringing upon the sovereignty of the country." "Their presence in our waters is considered an intrusion," he told reporters after visiting the Southern Region Marine Police here today. It was reported that officers at the North Port, near Port Klang, were shocked to discover the presence of a vessel, Glenn Brave Heart, about 500 metres from the port in July. They alleged there were military activities on board every morning, involving about 25 soldiers in commando uniform and armed with M-16 rifles. Othman said feedback from his Singapore counterpart revealed that the Republic had also never issued any permits to provide security escorts to merchant vessels in the Straits. He said the Marine Police provided free security escort services to merchant vessels whose owners feared attacks from pirates in the Straits. "So far, we have received requests from owners of Japanese merchant vessels for security escort services. During his visit, Othman also presented certificates of appreciation to 23 marine officers. © NST Online.

Patrols by one vessel each
Shah Alam - Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to reduce their patrol boats in the Sulawesi Sea to one each as soon as possible, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The Deputy Prime Minister said the agreement to withdraw all other patrol boats from the disputed area was reached at a meeting between the then Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief, Datuk Seri Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Nor, and Indonesian Navy chief Vice-Admiral Slamet Subidyanto in Batam recently. The withdrawal would be done simultaneously, he told reporters after opening the family day of the Pahang Local-Born Association, here. The navies of the two countries had sent more ships to patrol the disputed area following an incident on April 10 in which the RMN's KD Rencong and the Indonesian navy's KRI Tedung Naga brushed against each other, causing damage to both ships. Both countries had sent protest notes to each other following the incident. The maritime border dispute arose following the award by Petronas to Shell of oil and gas contracts in two blocks in the Sulawesi which both counteis claimed belonged to them. Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said Malaysia viewed the understanding reached as good because sovereignty was not determined by the number of ships in an area. Moreover, under the Asean agreement, military force could not be employed to strengthen a claim, he said. He said countries laying claim to the same area must negotiate or refer the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or an international body for arbitration. Asked whether the RMN and the Indonesian navy should have follow-up discussions, Najib said it was not necessary unless something happened that w