RI, Malaysian navies to increase cooperation in Malacca Strait security

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian navy and its Malaysian counterpart agreed on Monday to increase cooperation in maintaining security in the Malacca Strait.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Sumardjono and his Malaysian counterpart Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali at the Indonesian Navy`s Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Monday.

Admiral Mohamed Ali expressed hope that all forms of cooperation that had been established so far between the two navies would be stepped up in the future.

He said that although political ties between the two countries often experienced ups and downs, cooperation between the two navies should not be disturbed but should be made solid instead.

The Malacca strait is one of the world`s busiest sea and trade lanes as it links West Asia and East Asia. At least 50,000 cargo ships use the strait every year.

The 800 km-long strait can be sailed through in 12 hours, which is a much shorter period than the 24 hours needed to pass through the Sunda Strait (1,630 km) or the 70 hours required to navigate the Lombok Strait (2,780 km).(*) end