No Wish to See Regional Waterways Become New Somalia: Luhut Panjaitan Says

Jakata, 14 Rajab 1437/21 April 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Luhut Pandjaitan on Thursday (Apr 21) said he did not wish to see the waterways between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines turn into a new Somalia.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping for a long time. Mr Luhut was responding to questions from the media this morning on the frequent pirate attacks that have been happening in the maritime borders of Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Cna.

On May 3, Foreign Ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines will be meeting in Jakarta to discuss the issue of joint patrols between the waterways of the three countries.

On Apr 15, an Indonesian-flagged towing vessel TB Henry was hijacked and four crewmen kidnapped off Lahad Datu, Malaysia.

The tugboat TB Henry and her 10 crewman had finished delivering a cargo of coal to the island of Cebu. The kidnapping was the third in two weeks in the Sulu Sea.

Mr Luhut said Indonesia is concerned about the spate of incidents because of the strategic location of the area. More than 60 per cent of coal for power plants in the Philippines are being supplied from Indonesia.

However, Mr Luhut admits there will be challenges in considering the joint patrols. Malaysia and Philippines have an ongoing territorial dispute in North Borneo.

He said: “I think the problem between the Philippines and Malaysia is about the old issue on Sabah. So, we would like to calm down and see that this is now a common problem. Let’s work together.” (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)