Malaysia to patrol Sulu Sea with Indonesia and the Philippines

Hishammuddin talking to the crew of KD Mahawangsa before breaking fast on board the ship.

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KLANG: Malaysia will use the success of the Malacca Straits Sea Patrol (MSSP) to fight crime in the Sulu Sea with Indonesia and the Philippines.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the MSSP has reduced piracy, robberies, kidnappings and smuggling activities in the busy Straits of Malacca.

Statistics provided by the Navy showed a decline in the activities since MSSP was implemented in 2004 with Singapore and Indonesia participating in the initiative in 2006 and Thailand in 2008.

While there were 37 piracy and robbery cases at sea reported in 2004, only three were reported in 2015. So far, there has been no report of incidents in the straits between January and May this year.

Following the success of MSSP, Hishammuddin said a similar initiative should be implemented in the Sulu Sea.

“The Sulu Sea is a hotbed for piracy, armed robberies and kidnappings. Just this year alone, there has already been several kidnappings reported.

“The kidnappings were carried out in exchange for money or ransom," he told reporters breaking fast with sailors on board the KD Mahawangsa.

Hishammuddin - who will be presenting the initiative at the Dewan Negara on Tuesday - discussed the initiative earlier this year with Indonesian Defence Minister General Ryamizard Ryacudu in Yogyakarta, and Philippines Defence Minister Voltaire Gazmin in Laos during the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting.

“Threats in the Sulu Sea cannot be fought by just one country. We will face these common threats by working closely with our neighbouring countries," he said.

Hishammuddin spent more than two hours with the crew of KD Mahawangsa, accompanied by Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin.

(Source : thestar.com.my)

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