Malacca straits said safer

Malacca straits said safer

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Commodore Dalam Sinuraya, the head
of the Naval Base here, said that the Malacca straits area is
virtually free of pirates, smuggling and other security
disturbances.

He explained on Sunday that increased patrols, which include
the participation of the warship KRI Teluk Lampung, have ensured
a higher degree of security in the area.

As quoted by Antara he said that, since January, his units
have caught 35 ships that illegally entered the area, including a
tanker which was attempting to move its cargo to another ship
illegally.

He said that now the main threat to be looked out for is the
illicit exploitation of Indonesia's sea resources by foreign
ships.(mds)