RI to host meeting on Strait of Malacca

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