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