Transport Minister Kong says there was a need for a sustainable solution
Malaysia has called on the International Maritime Organisation to find a permanent solution to piracy off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said there was a need for a “sustainable solution to conclude this long-running menace to international shipping and trade.”
He also expressed Malaysia’s concern that despite so many initiatives, piracy there remained unresolved.
Kong said the country had two Malaysian naval vessels in the area and had even captured some of the pirates who were awaiting trial in Malaysia
“We would recommend that this year’s World Maritime Day’s theme of Piracy – Orchestrating the Response be continued to demonstrate IMO’s resolve and efforts to eliminate the scourge of piracy and for international shipping to continue to serve the world’s community safely, securely and peacefully,” he said at the 27th IMO Assembly here on Monday.
Kong also informed the assembly that the cooperative mechanism to enhance safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore was now into its second phase of operation.
He also announced that Malaysia had submitted its candidature for re-election to the IMO council.
Source: The Star Online
