"The Malacca Strait waters that link countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, must not become like Somalia waters where piracy is rampant," Ryacudu said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has urged ASEAN countries to intensify joint patrolling to prevent the regions waters from falling prey to Somalia-style piracy.
His remarks came on Friday in response to a newsmans question about piracy in the Malacca Strait and the ASEAN waters recently.
"The Malacca Strait waters that link countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, must not become like Somalia waters where piracy is rampant," he said.
In view of that, he called for strengthening joint patrolling and cooperation among these countries.
In the past few months, there have been incidents of piracy followed by hostage taking, affecting vessels passing through the Malacca Strait and waters bordering the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. A number of Indonesian citizens became victims of hostage taking.
Towards the end of March, tugboat Brahma 12 and barge Anand 12 were hijacked in the Tawi-tawi waters, Southern Philippines, while sailing from Indonesias province of South Kalimantan to the Philippines.
Ten crew members of the vessel, all Indonesian citizens, were held hostage in the incident and only released earlier this month.
Tugboat TB Henry and barge Cristi were also hijacked on April 15 while on their way from Cebu, the Philippines, to Tarakan in North Kalimantan.
Four of their crew members were also held hostage and released in the second week of this month. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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