Asia

Piracy in Indonesia jumps 50% in first six months

Jakarta: Globally piracy incidents were on the wane in the first half of this year, but Indonesia sticks out as a worrying hotspot with the number of incidents reported by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) jumping 50% in the six-month period.
Worldwide, the total number of pirate attacks has fallen from 177 in the first half of 2012, to 138 in the first half of 2013, according to the IMB.

Of the 43 actual attacks reported in Indonesia in the first half of 2013, 35 of the ships were anchored, four were berthed, and four were steaming, the report said. Six of the 13 ports and anchorages which had three or more reported incidents were located in Indonesia, with the ports in Dumai and Belawan encountering the highest number of attacks with eight each.
“Incidents are scattered in location, however, the waters surrounding Riau are most at risk,” Boy Rafli Amar, a spokesperson for the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), told local media.

However, compared to what happens off the coast of Africa, the events in Indonesia are comparatively tame.

“These incidents [in Indonesia] are low level opportunistic crimes — there are very few serious cases and most involve robbers,” commented an IMB official.  [26/07/13]

 

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