Security in the Melaka Strait is no longer a local or regional issue because of the perception that terrorists may use the surrounding’s densely built-up area to disrupt international trade or to gain financial support through ransom or hijacking, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday. The deputy prime minister said that although piracy or armed robbery at sea did not pose a significant threat, there was a possibility that piratical activities might become an instrument of terrorists.Welcome to the party - a few years late...
His speech was delivered by Defence Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Subhan Jasmon. A total of 186 delegates are attending the conference which will discuss safety and security issues in the Melaka Strait. Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said that to add to the complexity of the security equation, the many stakeholders that comprise the littoral states, user states, maritime communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) each had different levels of interest, priorities, threat perception and expectations. He said the Strait of Melaka might be a narrow stretch of water but it was one of the busiest waterways in the world. Users of the strait, both regionally and internationally, depended on this waterway to be safe and secure.
"Closure or even disruption of this waterway would have serious repercussion globally, certainly shipping freight rates will soar as insurance premiums increase. Oil tankers would probably have to take a longer route and this means higher operating costs. Effectively, domestic, regional as well as international trade would be seriously affected," he said. Last June, the London-based Joint War Committee of Underwriters categorised the strait as a "war risk and terrorism zone" based on perceived enhanced risks in relation to war, terrorism and related perils.
"In regard to this, we need to emphasise strongly that the Strait of Melaka has not had a single terrorist attack, the only incidents that have occurred were pirate attacks or armed robberies at sea and minor thefts from ships," he said.
But it got the Littorals off their butts and made them do something. Amazing what a threat to the wallet can do...
Najib said the maritime security scenario in the strait could be linked to the security situation in any major city around the world, such as New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong or even Kuala Lumpur.
"The threat of crime will continue to exist but we can remove the opportunities that foster and promote the threat," he said. Many steps had been taken at the domestic and regional levels to mitigate the maritime security challenge. The Eyes in The Sky initiative proposed by Malaysia is now a reality and is producing results. The International Maritime Bureau has reported a drastic drop in cases over the last five months. Malaysia has also taken further steps to ensure more effective enforcement with the recent operationalisation of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Our capability to manage problems in the strait will be further enhanced through a focused approach," he said.
Again, welcome aboard. Too bad it took you so long to get here.