Asia/Pacific News
Bunker Pirates: Singapore, Malaysia, Neighbours to Begin Joint Security Patrols
Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar (Abdul Aziz) Wednesday said a regional joint patrol would soon be launched to tackle piracy in and around the Johor Strait, local media reports.
The joint patrol is understood to be a collaboration between Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
The Malaysian Navy has already earmarked a vessel, KD Pahang, for the operations, said Abdul Aziz.
"We are also working closely with the Marine Department and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)," he added.
The joint patrol is likely to be launched during the 2015 biannual Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in March.
In January, anti-piracy body ReCAAP said oil syphoning was a key driving force behind an increase in piracy in Asia, which bucked the trend for a global decrease in activity in 2014.
Last week, eight men are said to have hijacked a chemical tanker carrying 1,100 tonnes of diesel in the region.
