PIRACY THREAT IN MALACCA STRAIT UNLIKE IN SOMALIAN WATERS

Surabaya, E Java, Dec 5 (ANTARA) - The piracy threat in the Malacca Strait is still not as grave as that in Somalian waters, according to Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral TNI Tedjo Edhi Purdijatno.

"In the Malacca Strait, piracy is not yet as great a threat as in the waters of Somalia. In the strait, pirates only board a ship, take people's belongings like cellphones, and later sell the loot to buy food. In Somalia pirates move in organized groups to hijack large oil carriers for huge ransoms," Purdijatno said.

However, the navy chief called on the force's rank and file to keep in mind the possibility that pirates in the Malacca Strait would eventually become more ambitious and emulate the big-stake actions in Somalian waters.

"This shows that the seas are still prone to criminal or unlawful activities. Therefore, there is a constant need for a strong, big and professional naval force," he said.

About the maintenance of security in the Malacca Strait, Purdijatno said the Navy was performing its duties in this regard in collaboration with such agencies as the police, customs, coast and maritime security services.

The Navy was also watching over the strait's security by continuously studying intelligence data it was receiving on conditions in the waterway.

"We also always seek the support of neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in our security maintenance operations," he said.