Japan has extended a grant aid of 992 million yen (S$15.5 million) to Malaysia for maritime security enhancement in the Straits of Malacca and other Malaysian territorial waters.
apan's Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie said yesterday that some 14,000 Japanese vessels rely on the Straits each year and 80 per cent of Japan's import of the oil shipped from the Middle East pass through the Straits.
'Safety and security in the Straits is a high priority not only to Malaysia but also for international users like Japan,' he said during the signing ceremony and the exchange of notes between the governments of Malaysia and Japan relating to Japan's Grant Aid here yesterday.
Mr Horie said Malaysian government efforts, together with concerted efforts by the Singapore and Indonesian governments, have successfully reduced the number of incidents in the Straits. However, he added, further cooperation would be required in view of the current global economic downturn, which may affect security in the waters.
Earlier, Mr Horie represented Japan at the signing ceremony while Malaysia was represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary-general Rastam Mohd Isa.
Mr Rastam said the grant aid would help to boost the Royal Malaysian Customs' capability to conduct regular and sustained sea patrols in Malaysian waters as well as to carry out special operations in order to curb smuggling and other illegal activities at sea.
He said that from the total amount of the grant aid, some 714 million yen would be allocated to the Royal Malaysian Customs. Another 278 million yen was for the Royal Malaysian Police.
Last year Japan approved its first grant aid of 473 million yen for the project.
apan's Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie said yesterday that some 14,000 Japanese vessels rely on the Straits each year and 80 per cent of Japan's import of the oil shipped from the Middle East pass through the Straits.
'Safety and security in the Straits is a high priority not only to Malaysia but also for international users like Japan,' he said during the signing ceremony and the exchange of notes between the governments of Malaysia and Japan relating to Japan's Grant Aid here yesterday.
Mr Horie said Malaysian government efforts, together with concerted efforts by the Singapore and Indonesian governments, have successfully reduced the number of incidents in the Straits. However, he added, further cooperation would be required in view of the current global economic downturn, which may affect security in the waters.
Earlier, Mr Horie represented Japan at the signing ceremony while Malaysia was represented by Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary-general Rastam Mohd Isa.
Mr Rastam said the grant aid would help to boost the Royal Malaysian Customs' capability to conduct regular and sustained sea patrols in Malaysian waters as well as to carry out special operations in order to curb smuggling and other illegal activities at sea.
He said that from the total amount of the grant aid, some 714 million yen would be allocated to the Royal Malaysian Customs. Another 278 million yen was for the Royal Malaysian Police.
Last year Japan approved its first grant aid of 473 million yen for the project.