JAPAN GRANTS RM29.9 MLN AID TO M`SIA FOR MARITIME SECURITY

PUTRAJAYA, March 30 (Bernama) -- Japan has extended its grant aid of 992
million yen (RM29.9 million) to Malaysia for for maritime security enhancement
for the overall sea surveillance in the Straits of Malacca and the Malaysian
territorial waters.

Japan's Ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie said some 14,000 Japanese
vessels rely on the Straits each year and 80 per cent of Japan's import of the
oil shipped from the Middle-East pass the Straits.

"Safety and security in the Straits is a high priority not only to Malaysia
but also for international users like Japan," he said in his remarks at the
signing ceremony and exchanging of notes between the governments of Malaysia and
Japan relating to Japan's Grant Aid, here Monday.

Masahiko said Malaysian government efforts together with concerted efforts
by the Singapore and Indonesian governments have successfully reduced the number
of incidents in the Straits.

However, he added further cooperation would be required in view of the
current economic downturn, which may affect security in the waters.

Earlier, Masahiko represented Japan for the signing ceremony while Malaysia
was represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General Rastam
Mohd Isa.

Meanwhile, Rastam said the grant aid would also help to boost the Royal
Malaysian Customs' capability to conduct regular and sustained sea patrols in
Malaysian waters as well as to carry out special sea operations in order to curb
smuggling and illegal activities at sea.

He said, from the total amount of the grant aid, some 714 million yen
(RM21.8 million) would be allocated to the Royal Malaysian Customs.

While another 278 million yen (RM8.1 million) was for the Royal Malaysian
Police.

Last year Japan approved its first grant aid of 473 million yen (RM14.6
million) for the project.

-- BERNAMA