ARF mulls tough new security measures for ships<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Following the implementation of a tough new maritime security law
\nthat came into effect on Thursday, the members of Asia's top
\nsecurity forum discussed on Friday the new security standards for
\nshipping in the region's busiest waterways.<\/p>\n
The new law, the International Ship and Port Facility
\nSecurity Code, which was signed by 147 governments, requires port
\noperators, stevedore companies and owners of ships larger than
\n500 tons to draw up plans for responding to a terrorist threat,
\nto implement tighter security around facilities and to provide
\ntraining for staff.<\/p>\n
The main objective of the discussion at the ASEAN Regional
\nForum (ARF) meeting was how to prevent terrorist attacks in the
\nregion's busiest waterways like the Strait of Malacca.<\/p>\n
The forum questioned whether they could apply airport security
\nstandards for ships at ports.<\/p>\n
\"Security cooperation to stop the trafficking of goods, such
\nas the use of airport X-rays, has been carried out,\" Indonesian
\nForeign Minister Hassan Wirayuda told reporters on the sidelines
\nof the 11th ARF meeting on Friday in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"This kind of cooperation and the strengthening of systems are
\npart of the cooperation for security at sea,\" he said.<\/p>\n
An Indonesian defense official expressed similar views on the
\nnew security measures for ships.<\/p>\n
\"Each country has given a positive response to the proposal.
\nWe must express our concern without any delay,\" Maj. Gen.
\nSudrajat, a senior officer who deals with strategy at the
\nMinister of Defense, said.<\/p>\n
\"The U.S. has agreed to provide assistance on building
\ncapacity to promote maritime security in the Southeast Asia
\nregion,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hassan said ARF agreed to hold series of workshops on the new
\nmaritime law in order to boost understanding of the problems
\nbeing faced.<\/p>\n
Hassan said that high on the ARF agenda was security in the
\nStrait of Malacca.<\/p>\n
It is the responsibility of the littoral states -- Indonesia,
\nSingapore and Malaysia -- to safeguard the Strait, which is one
\nof the world's busiest waterways.<\/p>\n
\"It is recognized that littoral states have sovereign rights.
\nWe are also open for cooperation with others,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The three countries recently agreed to coordinate patrols in
\nthe pirate-infested waterway, which is the preferred route for
\nsea traffic between the Indian and Pacific oceans.<\/p>\n
\"I think it is generally accepted that the primary
\nresponsibility for the security of Malacca belongs to littoral
\ncountries,\" former ASEAN secretary-general Rudolfo C. Severino
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Both the U.S. and India, a maritime neighbor of Indonesia,
\nhave expressed readiness to assist in providing security in the
\nStrait.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/arf-mulls-tough-new-security-measures-for-ships-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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