The marine police say they have beefed up security around the northern island of Langkawi to prevent terrorist attacks during an international defence exhibition this week.

Some 600 companies from 25 countries are participating in the annual Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2003 from Sept 30 until Oct 5.

A total of 21 ships and patrol boats and hundreds of marine police have been deployed to protect exhibitors because of terrorist activity in the region, particularly in neighbouring Indonesia, Marine Police Commander Mohamad Muda told the Bernama news agency.

Random checks

Mohamad said marine police would patrol the maritime borders with Indonesia and Thailand.

"Security patrols will be increased all along the Langkawi borders with Thai waters for the duration of the exhibition."

"Random checks will be conducted on water traffic around Langkawi, as well as checks on fishing boats and passenger ferries arriving from Thailand," he said.

"We will monitor all islands, big and small, around Langkawi to ensure no one with evil intent would be hiding there." - AFP