Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore hold joint maritime security drill

Photo caption: A high-level tripartite coast guard cooperation meeting involving the Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla RI), the Singapore Police Coast Guard (SPCG), and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was held to welcome the arrival of vessels at the Bakamla base in Batam, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (August 11, 2026).

Batam (ANTARA) - Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore began a three-day maritime security exercise in the Riau Islands on Monday, seeking to strengthen cooperation and safety in waters shared by the three countries.

The exercise involves Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency, or Bakamla, the Singapore Police Coast Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

Bakamla Chief Vice Adm. Irvansyah said Tuesday the exercise is part of INSIMA, a trilateral cooperation initiative involving Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

“This demonstrates our close ties, friendship and cooperation with Malaysia and Singapore in maintaining maritime security and safety,” Irvansyah said.

The exercise runs Aug. 10-12, 2026, in waters around the Riau Islands, involving 60 personnel from the three countries.

The exercise is part of a high-level meeting on tripartite coast guard cooperation involving the three countries’ maritime security agencies.

The activities began with the arrival of the Singapore Police Coast Guard vessel White Tip Shark and Malaysia’s KM Sibuan 2224.

Vessels and personnel from the three countries are also conducting joint exercises, including a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure drill led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

“We hope to strengthen maritime security in the waters shared by the three countries, including the Malacca Strait, Singapore Strait and Natuna Sea,” Irvansyah said.

MMEA Director General Adm. (M) Datuk Haji Mohd. Rosli bin Abdullah said the exercise allows the agencies to exchange information, experience and best practices in maritime security.

“Through this exercise, we can implement best practices for maintaining maritime security and foster networking between our countries,” Rosli said.

Singapore Police Coast Guard Commander SAC Ang Eng Seng said the cooperation reflects the close ties among Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“We hope this cooperation contributes to creating a safer regional maritime area for the public,” Ang said.