No pirate attacks on ships plying the Straits of Melaka has been reported this year, thanks to the multinational naval cooperation.Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
said the success is down to ongoing training between littoral states and tight security in their territorial waters.
"It is a success for all parties involved in creating a peaceful and safe region. Hopefully we can continue to control security of the Straits of Melaka," he said after receiving Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at his office here today.
Teo who is National Security Coordination and Home Affairs Minister was on a three-day official visit to Malaysia.
Besides Singapore, others involved in securing the Straits of Melaka are Indonesia and Thailand which had expressed concern over pirate attacks.
Favoured targets of pirates are bulk carriers, chemical tankers, oil tankers and tugboats.
Zahid said three pirate attacks were reported in the Straits of Melaka last year and ten cases were reported in 2009.
"Statistics show that our security efforts had aborted pirate attacks and led to a safe maritime environment.
"Insurance companies that used to charge higher premiums because of pirate attacks can now charge lower premiums."
This boosted investor confidence in the countries involved and the international financial institutions also gave them high rating.
On another note, Zahid said the government is still discussing the cost of six Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and will announce it at month end.
The government had announced that the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to buy six LCS, two training ships and a Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS).
Source: Bernama
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