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.