RI seeks changes in Malacca patrol

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Indonesia is seeking some adjustments to the implementation of the joint air patrol of pirate-infested Strait of Malacca.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib bin Abdul Razak said here over the weekend that he had been informed that Indonesia wanted some changes made before the patrols began.

He would not elaborate on the changes, but the joint air surveillance, code named "Eyes in Sky", initially required the three littoral countries to conduct two sorties per week in each designated area of operation.

Experts say 25 percent of the world's sea-borne trade and 50 percent of its oil supplies are carried through the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait. -- JP