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continued and developed, and that other States with similar problems emulate this practical and highly effective counter-measure. The example quoted in Chapter 2 (the "Al Zahrah" incident) underlines the effectiveness of this close co-operation.
Hot pursuit
9 In accordance with the Agreement between the three Malacca Strait States, hot pursuit by forces of one nation chasing sea criminals across the 'sea boundaries between them is allowed providing agreement is achieved at the time. This is a delicate legal matter which can only be addressed by the States involved.
Other agencies
10 It was not possible during the Group's visit to fully address the integration of other agencies with security forces except to examine the role of the RCCs in receiving and relaying reports from shipmasters. This matter is covered in Chapter 7. The use of radars, especially those in Singapore and on the islands of Jantan, Batam and Bintan (Indonesia) in the detection, tracking and reporting of suspicious targets is under development. The Indonesian radars are under the authority of the customs, who will need to co-operate with other Indonesian, Singaporean and Malaysian security forces.
11 Police forces and Government agencies of other States may be able to provide information on pirates and robbers to the security forces of the coastal States especially in cases of medium level armed robbery and major criminal hijack. These liaison links should be developed and maintained through normal police and diplomatic channels.
Recommendations
12
In view of all the foregoing, the Group recommends:
.1 masters must report incidents as quickly and as fully as possible;
.2
.3
.4
.5
.6
.7
all three States consider the use of suitably equipped helicopters in countering acts of piracy and armed robbery;
security forces should consider the use of modern night vision equipment;
a local rule of the road amendment allowing ships under attack to flash or occult their NUC lights should be authorized in areas where pirate attack is possible;
Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia continue and develop further co-ordinated patrols by both ships and aircraft;
other States with abuting coastal waters which are affected by acts of pirates and armed robbers develop similar co-ordination of effort; and
police forces and Governments should maintain close liaison with neighbouring States to facilitate the apprehension and conviction of criminals involved in unlawful acts.
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