KEEPING WATCH OVER THE MALACCA STRAITS

Speaking to senior military officers from the three countries, as well as guests from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Singapore s Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Yat Chung said the Malacca Straits is a "critical and strategic waterway for world trade".

"More than 10 million barrels of crude oil are transported through the Malacca Straits and the Singapore Straits daily, said LG Ng. And an estimated 50,000 ships sail past the region annually."

Both straits are thus a lifeline to the economies of countries in the region.

The three littoral states are involved in the Malacca Straits Sea Patrols (MSSP), where they conduct naval patrols within their own territorial waters, maintain communication links and share information.

Last year, the Eyes in the Sky (EiS) air patrols initiative was launched to enhance the security of the straits.

The results of the MSSP and EiS are encouraging.

Since their inception, piracy has been on a decline. In the first four months of this year, there were only two reported cases of piracy attacks a drastic decline compared to more than 30 cases two years ago.

The signing of the TOR and SOP demonstrates the strong commitment of the three littoral states in enhancing security along the Malacca Straits, as well as the excellent defence relations among their armed forces.

When asked to describe the state of defence ties among the three armed forces, the three military chiefs decided to let action speak for itself and immediately exchanged warm handshakes with each other.

This is our defence relations in action! they quipped.


21 Apr 06 - Remarks by Chief of Defence Force LG Ng Yat Chung at the Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP) Joint Coordinating Committee Terms of References and Standard Operating Procedure Signing Ceremony