Malaysia, RP to jointly curb piracy

Malaysia, RP to jointly curb piracy

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia and the Philippines agreed yesterday to step up efforts to clamp down on cross-border criminal activity including piracy, a Malaysian minister said.

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Philippines Defense Secretary Renato S. De Villa discussed better cooperation between security personnel between the two countries to curb crime.

Malaysian Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar briefed reporters after the meeting but did not give details, Bernama news agency said.

De Villa arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit to attend a defense services exhibition. Authorities here have said they will set up a military base in eastern Sabah state after an attack by Filipino pirates in late March, the second attack in the area within two months.