Published: Monday March 30, 2009 MYT 2:00:00 PM
Japan grants RM29.9mil to M’sia for maritime security
PUTRAJAYA: Japan has extended its grant aid of 992mil yen (RM29.9mil) to Malaysia for maritime security enhancement for the overall sea surveillance in the Strait of Malacca and the Malaysian territorial waters.
Japan's Ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie said some 14,000 Japanese vessels rely on the strait each year and 80 percent of Japan's import of the oil shipped from the Middle East pass the strait.
"Safety and security in the strait 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 SecretaryGeneral Tan Sri 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 mil yen (RM21.8mil) would be allocated to the Royal Malaysian Customs.
While another 278mil yen (RM8.1mil) was for the Royal Malaysian Police.
Last year Japan approved its first grant aid of 473mil yen (RM14.6mil) for the project. - Bernama
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