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