RI to host meeting on Strait of Malacca

INDONESIA: The Indonesian government and International Maritime Organization (IMO) will host a two-day meeting on security in the Strait of Malacca at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in South Jakarta, starting on Wednesday.

The meeting, entitled "Jakarta Meeting on the Strait of Malacca and Singapore: Enhancing Safety, Security and Environmental Protection" will be used to discuss the Strait's monitoring plan and cooperation to ensure safe travel along the Strait, with government officials, non-governmental organizations, academics and representatives of shipping companies.

Antara news agency reported that a monitoring scheme called the Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) would be launched on the last day of the meeting on Thursday. The project involves the three littoral states -- Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia -- along with the IMO, the World Bank and a group of shipping companies.

The MEH, which will monitor every ship, will be headquartered on Batam island just south of Singapore. Under the scheme, the ships are also required to help protect the environment by curbing pollution produced by ships.

The navies of the littoral states will also discuss their joint efforts for security in the Straits. -- JP