ECONOMIC SLUMP RAISES FEARS OF MORE PIRACY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- The economic slowdown raises fears of
maritime safety especially in the Straits of Malacca as piracy and sea-robbery
makes a comeback.

According to the chairman of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA),
Vice-Admiral (R) Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor, maritime safety was difficult
to predict and countries in the region are urged to be vigilant to face any
possibility.

"During the 1997 economic crisis we saw piracy and robbery at sea rise and
we must use that experience as a guide and lesson.

"I am not saying that there will be increase in piracy and robbery due to
the economic slowdown but we need to take pro-active steps and be ready to face
any possibility as we are faced with a similar situation," he told reporters at
a seminar titled 'Tackling Piracy at Sea' here Tuesday.

He said countries in the region to should be on alert as the straits was a
passage for much international shippping.


Ahmad Ramli said the countries should not take safety in the Straits of
Malacca lightly but always strive to guard the straits from maritime crime.

The Straits of Malacca is one of the busiest maritime corridor in the world
with about 50,000 cargo ships and oil tankers passing through each year.

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia had shown there was no resolution in
the long term, he said.

"The most important matter is to ensure the integrity and sovereignty of
national laws in the waters beside the safety of shipping from all forms of
threats in the Straits of Malacca," he said.

-- BERNAMA