KUALA LUMPUR: There are no pirates in Malaysian waters, just petty maritime criminals, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail explained that incidents reported in Johor and the Straits of Malacca are often small-scale thefts or smuggling attempts, not piracy as defined under international law.
"Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), piracy refers to acts committed on the high seas, beyond any nation’s jurisdiction.
"Therefore, cases that occur within Malaysian waters are categorised as armed robbery or theft at sea, not piracy," he said in a written reply to Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) on Tuesday (Oct 28).
Saifuddin Nasution said records from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) showed that robbery and theft cases in Johor waters dropped sharply, from 12 cases in 2023 to two last year, with only one case recorded this year as of Sept 25.
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"This marks a reduction of more than 83%, reflecting the success of coordinated enforcement, increased patrols, and stronger regional cooperation that have crippled active criminal groups at sea," he said.
He added that the Marine Police continue to carry out round-the-clock surveillance to ensure that Malaysian waters remain safe for navigation.
"From 2021 to August this year, only one case was categorised as armed robbery or theft at sea in 2023.
"This shows that Malaysia’s maritime security is stable, well-controlled, and safe for both local and international shipping," he said.
Saifuddin Nasution credited joint enforcement operations with neighbouring countries, as well as tighter monitoring by MMEA and the Marine Police, for keeping Malaysian waters free from piracy.
"Our waters are secure. No pirates are lurking here, only isolated cases of theft, and those are swiftly dealt with," he said.
