More M'sia-US Counter-Terrorism Efforts

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) - Piracy and potential terrorist threats in the Straits of Melaka and the waters of Sabah were prime issues raised when the chief of the United States Pacific Command, Admiral William J. Fallon, met Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, here on Monday.

"I have a great understanding on Malaysia's maritime security progress, and the piracy activities had declined dramatically," Fallon told reporters after the meeting, which was also attended by Defence Forces Chief Laksamana Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohamed Noor.

He said the discussions also looked into possible ways of terrorists using the Straits of Melaka due to the high volume of vessel traffic.

"We also know that Sabah, Sulawesi and islands in the Philippines are areas being used by terror networks because there are so many islands," he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar said that Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore would meet in Batam, Indonesia, in April to sign the agreement on Standard Operating Procedures on collaboration among them in the "Eye-in-the-Sky" operation.

He said Malaysia would propose to the International Maritime Organisation to enforce a mandatory rule for any vessels that enter the Straits of Melaka to register with the Vessels Tracking System.

"For now, it's not mandatory for vessels to register with the system," he said.

He said the system was similar to the Aircraft Tracking System, which identifies any aircraft entering the Malaysian airspace, including to provide data of the aircraft destination, types, speed and other details.

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