ASEAN Countries Need to Cooperate to Ensure Security in Straits Of Melaka - MIM

Maritime Security Operations help develop security in the maritime environment, contributing toward stability and prosperity on a regional and global level.

Kuala Lumpur, 18 rajab 1437/26 April 2016 (MINA) – ASEAN countries need to cooperate to ensure the waters in the Straits of Melaka is safe and free from piracy for merchant ships passing through, says Maritime I

Anstitute of Malaysia (MIMA) chairman, Vice Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor.

In this regard, he said joint monitoring, enforcement and patrols among ASEAN countries should be stepped up as the Straits of Melaka was among the busiest waterways in the world.

“When the Straits of Melaka is safe, it will attract more ships and thus contribute to the economic growth of ASEAN countries,” he said.

He was speaking at a news conference at the 8th International Conference on the Straits of Melaka themed “Revolving Regional Issues and their Impacts in the Straits of Malacca” organised by MIMA.

The two-day conference has more than 100 participants from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, China and Pakistan, Bernama was quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Ahmad Ramli said last year, 80,000 tankers carrying about 15 million tonnes of petrol passed through the Straits of Melaka.

“Therefore, such ships passing through the straits are exposed to pirate attacks if no measures are taken to eradicate them,” he said.

He also said that the authorities should ensure the Straits of Melaka was not polluted by oil discharge by irresponsible parties.

Although oil discharge in the Straits of Melaka had reduced, all authorities should not be contented as these parties would take the opportunity to pollute when monitoring and enforcement were lax, he said. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)