Asia is expected to spend RM266 billion (US$70 billion) on defence imports between 2002 and 2006 because of the increasing threats of war and terrorism, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

Mahathir was speaking at the official opening of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) on this northern island, which has drawn some 600 companies from 25 countries.

"A wave of uncertainty has swept across the world, brought about by the increasing threat of terrorism and military action," said Mahathir. "Both have destabilising effects on all countries."

"According to forecasts, the total market for defence exports to Asia alone is predicted to rise to US$70 billion between 2002 and 2006. And it is expected to continue to rise."

Mahathir said that in Southeast Asia air and maritime defences were particularly important "because most of the countries are made up of huge archipelagos with long coastlines and innumerable islands to be secured."

Radar stations

Malaysia itself embarked on a major arms spree recently, agreeing to buy Russian fighter jets, French submarines, British and Russian missile systems and Polish attack tanks.

Mahathir said Malaysia had built a series of radar stations along the western coast to enable it to monitor traffic along the Strait of Malacca, as well as deployed more patrol boats and aircraft for surveillance.

"But there is a financial limit to what Malaysia can do to protect international shipping which passes through the straits in increasing numbers," he said.

"The world and in particular the nations whose ships make use of this waterway should also help in securing the passage," he said.

It was unclear exactly what help Mahathir was looking for, as both the United States and Japan have reportedly offered assistance in patrolling the 800-kilometre waterway without success.

No to joint patrols

Marine Police Commander Muhamad Muda told AFP recently that while the exchange of intelligence and experience were always welcome, "We don't need foreign ships to come into Malaysian waters for joint patrols. I don't think our government would like that kind of thing."

The Malacca Strait, a narrow waterway slicing Indonesia's sprawling Sumatra island from mainland Southeast Asia, is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, funnelling 50,000 vessels a year between the biggest economies of the West and the East.

A hunting ground for pirates from ancient times until today, it carries a third of global trade and more than 10 billion barrels per day of oil to Japan, South Korea, China and other Pacific Rim countries.

It has also recently been the focus of fears that terrorists might try to hijack an oil tanker for use as a monstrous bomb, after the discovery of videos in an al-Qaeda hideout in Afghanistan showing Malaysian boats on patrol in the strait. - AFP