National

Japan Prepared to Help Indonesia with Weapons to Secure Malacca Straits
Friday, 17 December, 2004 | 21:16 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Japanese government is to support Indonesia in securing the Malacca Straits, particularly in fighting piracy cases in the area.

Therefore, Japan is prepared to send all weapons that might be required.

“We will do this as long as the laws of Japan and other related countries allow us to do so,” Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Shoichi Nakagawa told reporters following a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta on Thursday (16/12).

According to Nakagawa, the contribution of Japan in the fight against piracy in the Malacca Straits is based on the request and approval of the three authorized countries in the Straits, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Regarding the weapons to be provided, the Japanese government will review this case by case.

The high number of piracy cases in the Malacca Straits, Nakagawa said, had also had an impact on Japan.

Japanese tanker ships have been attacked by pirates several times in the waters of the Malacca Strait.

Not only has this resulted in losses for Japan, it has also created losses for other parties renting tankers owned by Japanese companies.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said that Indonesian President Yudhoyono welcomed the offer made by the Japanese government.

However, the technical matters of the cooperation shall be discussed with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief General Endriartono Sutarto, Indonesian Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono and National Police chief General Da’i Bachtiar.(Sapto Pradityo-Tempo News Room)