US WANTS TO CONTINUE SECURING STRAITS OF MALACCA

PUTRAJAYA, March 10 (Bernama) -- The United States Government wants to
continue providing assistance to littoral states to secure the Straits of
Malacca.

This follows recent information from its intelligence network on possible
terrorist threats along the straits.

US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt M. Campbell
said the state took an active role to provide support to Malaysia, Singapore and
Indonesia on the issue.

"We think that cooperation is very strong. We think those states are in a
lead and we want to continue to provide as much assistance," he told reporters
after the Second Senior Officials Dialogue with the Malaysian Foreign Ministry
here Wednesday.

Campbell said the matter was also discussed during his visit to Singapore
recently.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore recently raised terror alerts after the
International Maritime Bureau piracy reporting centre was alerted by a
foreign agency over a terror threat against ships using the straits.

According to the bureau, while piracy threats were common, a terror threat
against ships was new to the waterway, which is one of the world's busiest
shipping lanes.

Meanwhile, asked to comment on Malaysia's Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's
sodomy trial, Campbell said the previous statement made by US Senate Foreign
Relations Committee chairman John Kerry stood for itself.

"What we are looking for is an impartial application of laws. Malaysia is a
country of laws. Obviously, we are watching developments to this trial very
closely," he said.

Meanwhile, Campbell said the US-Malaysia relations were on the verge of
substantial improvement, whereby steps were taken in the last several months
on a number of issues, including trade and counter-terrorism.

He said discussions with Malaysian officals had also agreed on specific
visits and engagements to take place.

"I think both sides now acknowledge that the two countries can take
substantial steps in times ahead, to improve our relationship and I look forward
very much to helping and assisting the process," he said.

Campbell said there was also some interest on Malaysia's part in the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as a strong desire among Southeast Asia
countries for the US to continue to play a strong and confident role in the
economic activity of the region.

"They look to us to continue to take steps in the TPP and I think we want
very much to be able to fulfill that hope," he added.

On Myanmar election laws that bars opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi from participating in polls this year, Campbell said by far, it was
"disappointing and regrettable".

"We want her to play an active role in the political life of the country
going forward, and we stand by our continuing statements about her being
released and allowed to play an active and full role inside the country," he
said.
-- BERNAMA

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