Joint patrols sought to halt kidnappings in Sulu Sea
KLUANG: Joint patrols and aerial surveillance with neighbouring countries have been proposed to tackle piracy and kidnapping in the Sulu Sea, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said he would propose the matter to the defence ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.
He said the approach initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to address piracy in the Strait of Melaka, had managed to reduce incidents of piracy in the busy strait.
"It is time the same approach is taken to ensure safety in the Sulu Sea as kidnappings are on the rise in the sea, it not only affects Malaysia but also the neighbouring countries," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Sedohok's Annual Community Sports Festival yesterday.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin confirmed the involvement of national security forces in helping to rescue the crew of an Indonesian tugboat in a kidnapping incident by an armed group in southern Philippine waters on Friday.
News reports yesterday said Sabah police would record statements from the six crew members who were were saved and now in Sabah to facilitate investigations. Four other crew members were reportedly kidnapped by the armed group.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin, who is also the member of Parliament for Sembrong, announced an allocation of RM30,000 to solve the water problem faced by villages in Kahang.
In another development, Hishammuddin said he fully supported the leadership of Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
On Thursday, when launching the Fourth Meeting of the 13th Johor State Assembly, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar expressed full confidence in the leadership of Mohamed Khaled and the existing line-up of state leaders.
He hoped no members of the state assembly were 'wolves in sheep's clothing' trying to undermine the political stability in Johor by trying to topple Mohamed Khaled as menteri besar. - Bernama