Concern for Strait of Malacca prodded

Concern for Strait of Malacca prodded

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has reported to be prodding Indonesia and Singapore yesterday to show more concern over the Strait of Malacca after six ships suspected of dumping toxic waste fled the waterway of the three nations.

"This worries us because any pollution to the water(way) would burden the three countries," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was quoted as saying by local newspapers.

Mahathir said the crowded 1,000-kilometer international strait -- infamous for accidents, oil spills and pirate attacks -- was being used with near impunity by foreign ships.

"Even though the strait is regarded as international waters, we have the right to take action against anyone who pollutes it," Mahathir said.

Malaysia detained 12 ships last week on suspicion of illegally dislodging toxic waste in the strait but six of the vessels escaped before being checked, officials said.

Two of the ships which fled were reported to have berthed at Singapore while four others remain at large.

Mahathir blamed the incident on lack of coordination among the various agencies policing the strait.

"We will have to step up our control and supervision of the waterway. However, all these require heavy expenditure in terms of ships, radar and many other things," Mahathir said.

The International Maritime Organization last year rejected Mahathir's proposal that users of the strait pay a toll similar to that at the Suez and Panama canals.

Environment Minister Law Hieng Deng said pollution in the Strait of Malacca was presently at 200 parts per million (ppm) and if not monitored closely, could rise to 500 ppm "and destroy all marine and aquatic life."

"The littoral states have nothing to gain but everything to lose and we hope all three countries take this matter very seriously," Law said.