India, US Free to Patrol in Melaka Straits' International Waters: Minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 22, 2002

India, US Free to Patrol in Melaka Straits' International Waters: Minister

India and the United States are free to conduct joint patrols in the international waters within the Melaka Straits, said Malaysian Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak Sunday.

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India and the United States are free to conduct joint patrols in the international waters within the Melaka Straits, said Malaysian Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak Sunday.

Malaysia was also prepared to offer assistance to anyone facingproblems while they were in the Melaka Straits if necessary, Najibsaid at a media conference here.

Najib was commenting on a report on Friday which stated that India and the United States had agreed to conduct joint patrols inthe waters within the straits which were said to be infested by pirates.

According to the report, the Indian navy would provide routine escort for important commercial liners using the Straits and for such operations, the cooperation of other nations were needed to provide berthing facilities and supplies.

"We also conduct monitoring in our waters in the straits and will offer assistance to anyone. They (users of the straits) need not rely on the patrolling team only," he said.

Najib said any nation had the right to escort their commercial liners to ensure security without the need to seek permission fromMalaysia or Indonesia which are located on the starits' boundary and this did not violate international law.

He said if the patrol ships concerned wished to berth in Malaysia's national waters, they must go through the normal process by contacting the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

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