Piracy attacks common in Penang, Bintulu and Sandakan waters

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The waters around Penang, Bintulu and Sandakan have been included on the watchlist of the International Maritime Bureau due to recent piracy attacks there.

National news agency Bernama quoted the bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre head, Noel Thoong, as saying that the centre, which monitored piracy incidents worldwide, had received reports from shipowners of pirate attacks while plying the routes. Nevertheless, the situation in the three areas was under control, he said.

As a result of follow-up measures taken by the Malaysian marine police following the incidents, Thoong said security measures for ships in the waters off the Penang Port and Bintulu Port had improved.

Asked if the bureau could determine from where the attacks originated or whether the perpetrators were locals or foreigners, he told Bernama that the bureau could not do so because investigations were conducted by the local enforcement body. As for the waters off Sandakan, Thoong said they still received reports of pirates' attacks in the area.

"We advised shipowners to take extra caution and the best thing for them is to have anti-piracy watchers," he said adding that local law enforcement agencies have been informed of the incidents.

The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre was set up in 1992 and financed by voluntary contributions from a number of companies. It provides its services free of charge to all vessels irrespective of ownership and flag, the Bernama report added..



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