via Khaleej Times - EFL
SINGAPORE - Attacks on ships by sea pirates in Southeast Asia are resembling military operations â growing bolder, more violent and fuelling fears of an attack that would cripple world trade, Singapore said on Sunday.
As the United States considers plans for a Regional Maritime Security Initiative to tighten surveillance of Southeast Asiaâs busy Malacca Strait, through which a third of world trade passes, Singapore said the risk of a devastating attack was growing. âWe have been alarmed not only by the increase in the number of pirate attacks in the sea lanes of communication in this part of the world, but also in the nature of the piracy attacks,â said Singaporeâs coordinating minister for security, Tony Tan.
âIn previous years when you had a piracy attack, what it meant is that you have a sampan or a boat coming up to a cargo ship, pirates throwing up some ropes, scrambling on board, ransacking the ship for valuables, stealing money and then running away,â he told an Asian security forum. âBut the last piracy attack that took place in the Straits of Malacca showed a different pattern,â he added. The pirates were well armed, operating sophisticated weapons and commanding high-speed boats. âThey conducted the operation almost with like military precision,â Tan said.
âInstead of just ransacking the ship for valuables, they took command of the ship, and steered the ship for about an hour, and then eventually left with the captain in their captivity,â he said. âTo all of us, this is reminiscent of the pattern by which terrorists mount an attack.â
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Malaysiaâs recent rejection of US offers to assist in policing the shipping lanes seems either foolish or suspicious. |