Tripartite patrol in Sulu Sea can curb trans-border crime - RMN Chief

Cooperation between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines via a tripartite maritime patrol in the Sulu Sea, which will be launched on June 19, can curb cross-border crime.

Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the cooperation would be continue until the situation in the waters of the three countries improves.

"This initiative is taken to deal with piracy, kidnapping and armed robbery in the Sulu Sea. KD Todak fast patrol craft will join two vessels, each from the Philippines and Indonesia to control the waters of their respective countries," he told reporters after breaking fast with navy staff, here last night.

The joint patrol by the three countries would be successful as a similar model was used when patrolling the Straits of Melaka.

Kamarulzaman said the model used 10 years ago by Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand in the Straits of Melaka resulted in a drop in the number of crimes such as piracy and robbery.

"This model is suitable to control the Sulu Sea, a hotbed of criminal activities," he added.

The joint patrol involving the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Philippines Armed Forces and the Indonesian Armed Forces will be launched by the defense ministers of the three countries in Tarakan, Indonesia. - BERNAMA