More aircraft to guard Malacca Strait

More aircraft to guard Malacca Strait

MALAYSIA: Malaysia says more surveillance aircraft are needed to boost security in the Malacca Strait, though there is no evidence of a terrorist threat in the key shipping lane.

"We have to engage the international community in capacity building, specifically for more 'eyes in the sky'," Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

"We need maritime surveillance aircraft provided for by the international community but operated by the security forces" of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, he said. "With this, we can effectively intercept any small intruders or crafts that might endanger merchant ships."

Najib, who earlier Tuesday held talks with U.S. Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he urged Washington and other governments to help the region strengthen its defense capabilities, but not to intervene directly to boost security.

Najib, who attended a key defense conference in Singapore over the weekend, said the United States, Japan and Australia have responded positively to his call for more surveillance aircraft, with Australia promising it would submit proposals on capacity- building projects.

Najib, who is also defense minister, stressed there was "no evidence of any linkage to any terrorist group in the Straits of Malacca, but we are taking every precaution." -- AP