RI, Thailand to secure Strait of Malacca
RI, Thailand to secure Strait of Malacca
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok
The Indonesian and Thai Navies have agreed to enhance cooperation
so as to increase security in the busy Strait of Malacca, where
piracy and arms smuggling are rampant.
The cooperation, however, will not allow the two navies to
cross into each other's territories, Indonesian Navy Chief of
Staff Adm. Slamet Soebiyanto told The Jakarta Post in Bangkok.
"Although Thailand is not a littoral state, it has offered
help to provide security in the Strait of Malacca," he said after
paying a courtesy call to Royal Thai Navy Commander Adm. Sampop
Ampapala and Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Chaisit Shinawatra on
Tuesday evening.
Thailand controls the northern part of the busy international
shipping route, where Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore conduct
routine patrols to fight piracy.
During the meeting, both navies agreed to increase information
exchanges to improve security in the strait.
"Thailand's help is very important, especially as regards the
issue of Aceh province," said Slamet. "Stronger security
cooperation could reduce the smuggling of weapons into Aceh."
The separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which has been
fighting for independence since 1976, has been accused of
obtaining smuggled weapons from Thailand.
The Strait of Malacca is vital to the world's trade as a half
of its oil and one-third of its trade are transported on board
the 50,000 cargo vessels that annually pass through the 900-
kilometer waterway.
While most sides have called for improved security in the
strait, Slamet reiterated once again that the responsibility
rested in the hands of the littoral states -- Indonesia, Malaysia
and Singapore.
"We welcome all contributions and help from other countries
using the strait as long as the littoral states are in charge.
"It is important to note that the Strait of Malacca is not an
international strait although it can be used for international
sea traffic," he said.
Slamet said the participation of user states in providing
security in the strait was guaranteed by the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The U.S. has called for multilateral efforts, saying that it
wanted to send patrol ships -- something that was strongly
opposed by Indonesia and Malaysia.
Japan is reportedly planning to donate several patrol boats,
although there were no details available as to how it will get
around the provision of its constitution that bans the supply of
weapons to third countries.
"But I think Japan will be able to sort this thing out as it
is related to its national interest," said Slamet.
As for widespread reports of rampant piracy in the waterway,
Slamet played the issue down, claiming it was an attempt to
internationalize the strait.
"The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) always uses the term
sea piracy, which is incorrect. Sea piracy can only happen on the
open sea and the Strait of Malacca is not the open sea. "What
happens there is more in the nature of sea robbery," he said.
Slamet also said it was not necessary to set up a coast guard
in Indonesia, despite the fact that Malaysia recently announced
the establishment of such a body, which will start operating by
the end of this year.
"It would be better to improve the existing institutions
dealing with safety and security at sea instead of creating new
ones.
"We can redefine each institution's tasks and powers, and
enhance their fleets," he said.
Currently, the navy, police, customs service and the Ministry
of Transportation's Sea and Coastal Security Unit (KPLP) share
the responsibility for ensuring safety and security in Indonesian
waters.
On Wednesday, Slamet left Thailand for South Korea for a
similar courtesy call and to inspect an Indonesian Navy
submarine, the KRI Nenggala, which is being upgraded there.