RI seeks changes in Malacca patrol

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