KL seeks closer cooperation with RI

KL seeks closer cooperation with RI

MALAYSIA: Malaysia has called on Indonesia to work more closely to combat piracy in the Malacca Strait following a rash of attacks on ships using the busy shipping lane, news reports said on Sunday.

At least four pirate attacks have occurred since late February in the Malacca Strait, which separates peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia's Sumatra Island.

"If we fail to act, then I believe the international community will have more reasons to pressure us on the issue of security in the Straits of Malacca," Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times newspaper.

"We have requested more cooperation from the Indonesian Government in this matter," Najib said. "We are worried about the escalating piracy in the straits and have instructed our police and navy to increase their operations against the pirates."

Countries such as the United States, Japan and Singapore have previously expressed concerns about safety of vessels in the strait, saying foreign powers might need to offer help to patrol the area. -- DPA