RI urged to boost security in Strait

RI urged to boost security in Strait

INDONESIA: Japan's counterterrorism envoy asked the Indonesian
government to boost security in the Malacca Strait, a strategic
shipping lane where pirates regularly launch attacks on vessels.

U.S. officials have also raised concerns that international
terrorists might stage attacks on ships using the channel to
disrupt world trade. The waterway is bordered by Malaysia,
Indonesia and Singapore.

Last month, pirates attacked a Japanese-registered tugboat in
the strait, and kidnapped two Japanese sailors who were later
released unharmed.

Akio Shirota, Japan's counterterrorism envoy, met with
Indonesian ministers on Thursday to seek greater cooperation in
securing the strait, according to a statement on Friday by the
Japanese Embassy in Jakarta.

"Shirota reiterated the request to the Indonesian government
to strengthen their security measures in the strait," said the
statement. It gave no more details.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore currently jointly patrol the
waterway, which is plied by more than 50,000 vessels each year.
--AP