Military chiefs sign key pact on Strait of Malacca

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 04/22/2006 10:37 AM

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

The military chiefs of the Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean defense forces agreed Friday to strengthen cooperation in the security of the Strait of Malacca.

The military chiefs signed the terms of reference and standard operating procedures of the joint patrol in Batam, Riau Islands on Friday. The agreement is aimed at maintaining security in the strait involving a joint maritime and air patrol as well as an exchange of intelligence information.

The agreement was signed by Indonesian Military chief Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto, Malaysian Armed Forces commander Adm. Tan Sri Dato' Sri Mohd Anwar Bin Hj. Mohd Nor and Singapore chief of defense Lt. Gen. Ng Yat Chung.

Suyanto underlined at the signing ceremony his opposition to the involvement of other countries, like the United States, in safeguarding the strait. The involvement of other countries should be limited to the provision of equipment, he said.

""Any intention of other countries to safeguard security in the strait has to be discussed jointly... not by an individual country,"" he said.

The Strait of Malacca joint patrol coordinating committee has three stated responsibilities, namely to provide guidance to address and combat armed robberies and threats to shipping within the area of operation, and intelligence exchange.

It also provides broad operational policies with regards to The Strait of Malacca Sea Patrol and Eyes In The Sky and also monitors the implementation of the guidelines developed.

Tan Sri Dato Sri Mohd Anwar welcomed Suyanto's remarks, saying it showed the responsibility of the three nations in the security of the strait.

""This is an historical and strategic policy with regard to the security of the Strait of Malacca,"" he said.

However, Ng Yat Chung expressed openness to the idea of the international world participating in maintaining security in the strait.

""We are very enthusiastic about such cooperation. We also consider that the safeguarding of the strait is open to participation from user countries and the international world,"" he said.

Later both Indonesian and Malaysian military chiefs clarified at a press conference that Singapore's open attitude dealt only with hopes for assistance of equipment, but was not direct involvement in the joint patrol conducted by the three countries.

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