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Stories
Singapore warns of threat to tankers in Malacca Strait (4 March 2010)Singapore has learned that an unnamed group may be planning to attack oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. "The terrorists' intent is probably to achieve widespread publicity and showcase that they remain a viable group," the country's navy warned. Other large vessels with dangerous cargoes were also at risk, it said. The navy recommended ships strengthen their onboard security measures, remain vigilant and report unusual incidents. Past cases of successful attacks on tankers were carried out using small vessels such as dinghies, speedboats and fishing boats, which are common in the Malacca Strait, the Navy advisory said. About 33% of global seaborne crude oil shipments pass through the 965km (600-mile) channel - which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The seaway is almost six times busier than the Suez Canal. A Singapore Navy spokesman could not provide further details of the new threat when contacted by the Bloomberg news agency, but said it had started "operation co-ordination with our regional partners". Malaysia's maritime enforcement agency said it was aware of the alert and was stepping up security in the shipping lane. BBC Smuggling ringleader jailed (29 January 2010)A HUMAN smuggling ring leader was packed off to prison for five years and ordered to be given 12 strokes of the cane on Friday for bringing in prohibited immigrants. Suimi Taruna, 43, pleaded guilty to four charges of engaging with others to smuggle several Chinese nationals here by speedboat in 2008. The Malaysian, who had a arrest warrant for him, was extradited to Singapore on Wednesday evening. The court heard that Suimi had been the mastermind of the 'Impa'' human smuggling syndicate in Johor since 2003. Foreigners who wanted to enter Singapore illegally would contact him through agents. After receiving payment of $1,300 per person, he would hire boat operators and lookouts to smuggle them here illegally. Two other similar charges were taken into consideration. He could have been jailed for up to five years and given at least three strokes of the cane on each charge. Straits Times |
