Malaysia Tightened Blockaded, Indonesia Increase Shipping Routes Patrols
Dudy Novriansyah, Puji Kurniasari
Saturday, 16 April 2016 − 17:50 WIB
Hijacked illustrated
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ZAMBOAGA - As prevention after being hijacked Indonesian vessels in the Malaysia-Philippines waters, Malaysia authorty tightened blockaded of shipping routes that link the island of Tawi-Tawi to Sabah. This in order to prevent Abu Sayyaf and other similar groups from intruding into its territory.
The Malaysian government’s move was an apparent protest to the recent kidnapping of Malaysian nationals by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). John Unson of Philstar said in his article dated April 15, 2016 that the blockade started over a week ago after the ASG abducted four Malaysians off the territorial waters of Malaysia.
As known Abu Sayyaf Group gunmen hijacked two tugboat named TB Henry and a barge named Cristi, were carrying a total of 10 Indonesian crews in province of Tawi-Tawi near Sabah border and southern Philippine. They abducted 4 Indonesian crewmen and shot and wounded another before escaping on a speedboat.
Five other sailors, including the wounded crew member of tugboat Henry, sailed to the Malaysian border where they had been rescued by Malaysian authorities. The latest abduction was the third carried out by the Abu Sayyaf since last month.
The wounded sailor, whose identity was not immediately known, was rushed to Semporna district in Tawau town, and the rest of the crewmen filed their police report in Lahad Datu town, also in Sabah. The tugboat was heading to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan in Indonesia from the Philippines when gunmen intercepted them late Friday.
Incidence of piracy for the second time in one month regrettable again. It seemed to prove that the authorities in countries bordering on the sea lanes of South East Asia was able to secure their maritime zones.
"The problem before (hijacking 10 sailors, red) has not been settled, and it happened again. It's time for Indonesia firmly to both the neighboring countries in terms of coordinating the release of hostages yesterday and in terms of securing the outer NKRI waters boundary line," said board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Dimas Cokro Pamungkas, Saturday (16/4).
He reminded countries that have strategic sea lanes in Southeast Asia to strengthen the fleet of maritime security, especially in marine will be crime zone.
"Strengthen the quality and quantity, in which our self esteem if we keep pressed without being able to do anything like this, it's time to show the greatness of Indonesia!" he said.
Read more: Think Smart for Released Ten Indonesian Hostages
Meanwhile, Indonesia National Army (TNI) Commander, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo asserted that the perpetrators of piracy Boat Towing and Barge TB Henry and Cristi in the waters of border Malaysia and the Philippines are still militias led by Abu Sayyaf Group.
To rescue 10 hostage, TNI was setting up an army to act decisively and deploying two pieces, namely KRI KRI KRI Welcome Badu and Riyadi to be assigned to the border area.
"I reiterate that TNI had already prepared an army to do decisive action, when implementation is how to coordinate with the Government of the Philippines," said Gatot at Makopassus, Cijantung, Jakarta, Saturday (16/4).
In addition, said Gatot, it will coordinate with commander Philippines and Malaysia Army for work together to patrol the border between the regions.
"If we work together to coordinate patrols there yes there was nothing and we can not do anything and they also did not get how," he added.
(rnz)
