Australian Maritime Issues 2007 - Royal Australian Navy

A Malaysian Perspective on International Maritime Counter-Terrorist Cooperation
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Foreign Affairs. To date, Japan has hosted several seminars including the ASEAN-Japan
Seminar on Maritime Security and Combating Piracy in Tokyo (2003 and 2005), the
Heads of Asian Coastguard Agencies Meeting in Tokyo in June 2004, and seminars
on counter-terrorism held at SEARCCT, Kuala Lumpur. In April 2006, the Nippon
Foundation handed over a ship to MMEA, which is based at Kuantan, Pahang, and
used for training. 30
As for the efforts to enhance security in the strait, Japan is the only international
user that has contributed to the costs of maintaining its security. In early 1969, Japan
established the Malacca Strait Council (MSC) to channel its contribution to enhance
navigational safety through the installation and maintenance of navigational aids and
the establishment of an ASEAN-wide Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (OSPAR)
plan. The MSC is supported by the Japanese Government and maritime community
through organisations such as the Nippon Foundation, the Japan Maritime Foundation,
the Japanese Ship Owners’ Association, Petroleum Association of Japan, the General
Insurance Association of Japan, and the Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan. On
11 February 1981, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore and the Malacca Strait Council, which is supported by the
Japanese shipping community, to set up a Revolving Fund to be used to safeguard
the marine environment in the straits of Malacca and Singapore. Under the MOU, the
MSC contributed 400 million yen as the principal sum for the Revolving Fund. The
fund, which is managed by the three littoral states on a rotational basis for a period
of five years each, is to enable the MSC to take immediate remedial action to combat
oil pollution caused by ships in the strait. In December 2005, the littoral states and
Japan joined forces to produce the electronic navigational chart (ENC) covering the
straits of Malacca and Singapore. Ships using the ENC when sailing through the
straits will further enhance navigational safety and help to reduce accidents and the
risk of oil pollution. 31
Malaysia–Australia counter-terrorism cooperation
Both Malaysia and Australia have very strong relations sustained by a wide range of
cooperative activities under the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program. In addition,
cooperation between the two countries has also been enhanced through the ASEAN
Regional Forum (ARF) and the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA). During the
Chiefs of Defence Forces Conference of FPDA member states in Kuala Lumpur in 2003,
it was agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat terrorism in terms of joint cooperation
and intelligence exchange. 32 Under the auspices of the FPDA, Exercise STARFISH is
conducted every two years with a focus on naval training, while RMAF personnel also
train with Royal Australian Air Force Orion maritime patrol aircraft operating out of
Butterworth. In 2006, the member countries of ASEAN and Australia signed a Joint
Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism.