THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INDONESIA’S COUNTER PIRACY STRATEGY THROUGH MULTILATERAL COOPERATION IN MALACCA STRAIT (2004-2009)

Abstract

Nur Afni Damanik, International Relations 2014, President University. Thesis Title: The Implementation of Indonesia’s Counter Piracy Strategy through Multilateral Cooperation in Malacca Strait (2004-2009) The data of International Maritime Organisation has shown the trend of piracy in Malacca Strait which was of significant existence from 1998-2004. In 2005, Malacca Strait was categorised as a high-risk zone by the Lloyd’s Joint War Risk Committee. In 2000s, post 9/11 terrorist attack has galvanised the rising concern of international community over the security of Malacca Strait since there was a notion of sea piracy could lead to sea terrorism. Prior to 2004, apart from conducting unilateral patrol, Indonesia has bound itself to engage in bilateral cooperation with Malaysia and Singapore respectively. During 2004-2009, there were multiple multilateral cooperation initiatives proposed to Indonesia of which Indonesia responded in different way. This research employs qualitative method utilising journals, report, official documents, and books to analyse the implementation of Indonesia’s counter piracy strategy in Malacca Strait from 2004-2009. Indonesia’s counter piracy strategy was implemented through MALSINDO Coordinated Patrol, Eyes in the Sky, which later followed with Malacca Strait Patrol – Intelligence Exchange Group (MSP-IEG). The launch of coordinated sea patrol of MALSINDO in 2004 was followed with the air patrol of the Eyes in the Sky in 2005 and completed with the information sharing system through MSP-IEG in 2006. The multilateral cooperation conducted by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore has shown a positive result on the strategy to counter piracy in Malacca Strait.