Johor issues alert on piracy: Report

Johor issues alert on piracy: Report

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A Malaysian coastal state has warned
fishermen not to wander too far into international waters where
they may be easy prey for armed pirates, a newspaper reported
yesterday.

After three instances of fishermen kidnapped by pirates for
ransom, maritime security would be beefed up off the coast of
Johor, said the southern state's chief minister Abdul Ghani
Othman.

"Since the attacks took place in international waters beyond
the 12-nautical-mile zone, we urge fishermen not to go too far to
fish," he was quoted as saying by Star.

The kidnappings occurred once in April and twice in May when
fishermen were taken to Indonesia. They had to pay up to 6,000
ringgit (US$1,500) ransom to the pirates. Abdul Ghani said
Indonesia needed to step up measures to check piracy in the
Straits of Malacca.