Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have proposed six projects costing more than 50 million dollars to boost the safety and security of the busy Strait of Malacca, a maritime official said Wednesday. The projects include wreck removal and replacement of navigational aids damaged by the December 2004 tsunami, Koji Sekimizu, director of the New York-based maritime safety division of the International Maritime Organisation told reporters.
"We have received six proposals," he said. "It could cost more than 50 million dollars."
"All of the six projects were supported by the participants."
Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore are the three states bordering the Malacca Strait.
Among the countries that attended the three-day meeting on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore that began Monday were the United States, Japan, India, Germany and France.
Sekimizu said China has indicated strong commitment for the maintenance of navigational aids damaged by the tsunami, estimated to cost about 15 million dollars.
Tay Lim Heng, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, described the proposals as "a concrete step that we are taking towards getting user states to play a part in enhancing the safety, security and environment protection of the straits."
Tay said the three states would meet in the coming months to discuss how the project would be carried out. Singapore will host the gathering next year.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have taken responsibility for security in the strait, launching aggressive joint sea and air patrols to thwart piracy.
Source: Agence France-Presse
