JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Spokesman for the Department of Defense, Brig. Gen. I Wayan Midhio confirms an instruction by the Minister for Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro, sent to the Armed Force HQ some time ago. The instruction called for increased patrols around the Strait of Malacca.
The maneuver will be accomplished in coordination with two other countries bordering the waters, Malaysia and Singapore, and is linked with the warning from the Singaporean Navy intelligence regarding the possibility of increased terrorist activities, especially around Aceh.
Wayan confirms the information on Tuesday after a press conference for the forum of policy makers, users, and producers of main equipments for weaponry system at the Department of Defense. As one of the littoral states responsible for securing the Strait of Malacca, Indonesia has been exchanging intel info with the two other countries.
Wayan admitted that he couldn't guarantee whether the Aceh terrorists are linked with the possible terrorist assault in the Strait of Malacca region. Despite that, he confirmed that such a connection is possible.
"Usually before doing a major terrorism act, the terrorists would first raise the fund for their act. It's possible that this is done by hijacking, piracy or other methods. After the fund has been raised, then they can perform a more devastating act of terror."
Furthermore, Wayan explained that the intel info from Singapore was regarding terrorist who plan to hijack an oil tanker on the Strait of Malacca. The same MO has happened on the waters of Somalia, Africa. But the info from Singapore didn't give any detail about which terrorist group is operating in Aceh. (Wisnu Dewabrata/C17-09)
