No Armed Escort Vessels Please, Says Marine Police

The Marine Police will not approve the setting up of armed escort vessel services to protect merchant ships plying the Strait of Malacca.

Its Commander SAC II Jalaludin Abdul Rahman said the armed escort vessel issue had been discussed in detail by the marine police and the shipping associations.

“We have not received any requests to set up such boats. Even the shipping associations disagree with the idea because this will provoke a more aggressive response from pirates,” he said.