1 An overview of piracy/sea robbery issues in the Malacca straits – Multi Naval Cooperation By Capt Yeow Ho Siong RMN Capt Hj Roslan B Hj Haron RMN 2011 SENIOR LEADERS SEMINAR 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

2  Golden heritage of the littoral states  Prevailing threats encompass issues from minor theft incidents in harbor, armed robberies at sea, environmental pollution, substantial illegal immigration up to potential maritime disasters due to terrorist acts  Stakeholders comprise of littoral states, international community, NGOs, and even robbers and pirates have differing degrees of interests over the area  States faced different level of risks than others in term of how it impact on their national interest MALACCA STRAITS 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

3  About 30% of the world’s trade and 80 percent of Japan's oil passes through the Malacca Straits  About 200 ships per day or 600,000 ships per year sailed through the 900km Malacca Straits  Save up to 1,600 km an equivalent of 3 days sailing time  Different states will assess risks in differing orders in terms of how they will impact on their national interest MALACCA STRAITS  Issues on fishery protection maybe of importance to Malaysia as it will have an impact on the livelihood of the individual fishermen as well as Malaysia’s fishing industry in general, though this concern may be of no interest to other countries. 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

4 “AN ACT OF BOARDING OR ATTEMPTING TO BOARD ANY SHIP WITH THE APPARENT INTENT TO COMMIT THEFT OR ANY OTHER CRIME AND WITH THE APPARENT INTENT OR CAPABILITY TO USE FORCE IN THE FUTHERANCE OF THAT ACT” THE DEFINITION USED BY IMB 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

5 Article 101 of 1982 UNCLOS ANY ILLEGAL ACTS OF VIOLANCE OR DETENTION, OR ANY ACT OF DEPREDATION, COMMITED FOR PRIVATE ENDS BY THE CREW OR THE PASSENGERS OF A PRIVATE SHIP OR A PRIVATE AIRCRAFT AND DIRECTED : On the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft Against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state THE DEFINITION USED BY RMN 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

PIRACY A threat Hostes humani generis A crime 6 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

7 high seas The high seas is defined as the seas outside national jurisdiction “ not included in the EEZ, in the territorial seas, or in the internal waters of a state, or in the archipelagic waters of an archipelagic state ”. The crime of piracy cannot take place in waters within national jurisdictions. No piracy, only sea robberies No piracy, only sea robberies in the Straits of Malacca. Piracy can only be committed on the high seas and attacks that occur whilst the ships are underway. THE DEFINITION USED BY RMN 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

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9 SEA ROBBERIES IN MALACCA STRAITS (Malaysian Side of the Straits) YEARSEA ROBBERIES TOTAL 22 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

10 CONCENTRATION AREA (Malaysian Side of the Straits) Pu. Perak Pu. Jarak OFB Pu. Pisang Tg Piai 2 areas identified as area of pirates: Northern part of Straits covers from Pulau Jarak and Pulau Perak known as hotspot for pirate attacks. Southern part of Straits area close to Pulau Pisang and approach to Tanjung Piai /10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

11 MODUS OPERANDI 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

12 The attacks on fishing boats normally occur along the maritime boundary Easy to escape on either side of the boundary The attack on merchant ships however were more sophisticated Operate using more than one speed boat and fired automatic weapons to force the ship to stop MODUS OPERANDI 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

13  Sea robbery normally occur during dark hour from midnight to early morning. MODUS OPERANDI 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

14  Sea robbery use automatic rifles and modern communications equipment.  Today’s sea robbers plan their attacks  Modern day sea robbers are crude and ruthless compared to their forefathers. MODUS OPERANDI 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

15 Impetus of Establishing a Multi-Naval Cooperation Importance of Malacca and Singapore Straits Perception of potential maritime terrorism Preservation of national interest and acknowledging international expectation Creation of a win-win situation amongst stakeholders Achieving a sensible & proportionate response Built on shared vision and common interests 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

16 Resource Constraint E conomic Security Landscape National Interests Political MOOTW Jointness People issues MDA T echnology Globalization Security Cultural issues Legislations Foreign Policy Political driven Stakeholders expectation Social $$$ Priorities E nvironment Legal MMilitary Economic Disparity Sovereignty Legal framework Media Maritime Resources Power & control Capacity & capability Threat perception Threat perception Jurisdictional issues Interoperability 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

17 Evolution of the Multi-Naval Cooperation MALSINDO – 20 July 2004 – Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia All year round sea surveillance & sharing of information Eyes-in-the-Sky (EiS) – Sept 2005 TOR & SOP – Apr 2006 MALSINDO renamed MSP and Intelligence Exchange Group (IEG) formed Thailand 4 th partner – Sept 2008 Open arrangement does not prejudice to the position of partner states 2011 Senior Leaders Seminar

18 Evolution of the Multi-Naval Cooperation Courtesy of RSN 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

19 Contribution of the Multi-Naval Cooperation Source: ICC-IMB “Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships Annual Report- various issues Figures include actual and attempted attacks. 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

20 Status of the Multi-Naval Cooperation Downtrend due to 2004 Tsunami – no empirical evidence Littorals positive actions ashore – influence downtrend Concern of continued downward will lead - complacency & lower tempo of multi-naval cooperation activities Concerns are misplaced as MSP is continuously exploring creative and innovative ideas Ensures relevancy and remains alert to prevailing threats and changing maritime security landscape 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

21 Supplementary Benefits Multi-Naval Cooperation Facilitates operational dialogue and cooperation Promotes confidence and security building measures Permits the younger generation interactions at operational and tactical level Sharing of resources in other areas of maritime security concerns Bouncing board for creativity and innovation in operational & tactical ideas Mitigation of perceptions and expectations towards establishing high level of trust Provides a platform for continuous engagement 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

22  The government and the Royal Malaysian Navy are taking every steps to ensure safe passage for ships plying the Malacca Straits  Malaysia’s/Royal Malaysia Navy ( RMN) commitment to ensure safety and security in the straits  The RMN will continue to remain engage as a partner in defeating any crimes in the MALACCA STRAITS  The sustainable safety and security of the straits requires international cooperation among the littoral states and the user states without compromising national sovereignty CONCLUSION 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

23 Aim of Multi-Naval Cooperation enhance understanding, regional and international collaboration and regional security Domain awareness is necessity Capabilities and employment of resources Building partnership as regional CBMs Continue to remain engage and help to build upon existing framework in bridging the gap CONCLUSION 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar

24 Q and A 10/10/ Senior Leaders Seminar