An eye on the straits

An eye on the straits

The maiden flight of the Malaysian Hercules C130 military
plane under the Eye in the Sky (EiS) program marks another
significant co-operative regional move by the three littoral
states to secure the Straits of Malacca against pirates and
threats from terrorists.

Together with plans to install ship-tracking equipment at
strategic locations along the waterway, the EiS is evidence of
the willingness of the littoral nations to come up with pragmatic
solutions.

The invitation to user states to take part in the EiS and do
their bit in protecting this strategic shipping lane is
consistent with this standpoint. Since the littoral states have
taken purposeful measures to come to grips with the issue of
security, it is incumbent on user states, as well as
international agencies and the shipping industry, to provide
much-needed support in terms of capacity-building and the
exchange of intelligence.
-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur