KL to step up war against piracy

KL to step up war against piracy

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Marine police have vowed to increase
patrols along the Malacca Strait to snuff out bandit attacks in
the busy sea channel, Malaysia's national news agency reported.

"Efforts will be stepped up to ensure the Malacca Strait is
free from such incidents," southern marine police chief Abdul
Aziz Yusof was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency late
on Wednesday.

Most of the pirates were believed to be from neighboring
countries and traveled in groups of six to eight people in twin-
engine boats, Abdul Aziz said.

He added that Malaysia currently had eight boats patrolling
the Malacca Strait, which is used by about 2,000 ships daily.
The International Maritime Bureau reported earlier this year that
seven pirate attacks occurred between January and March in the
strait, a vital route for petroleum shipments from the Middle
East.