SIBU (Aug 6): Sarawak’s coastal and riverine waters remain free from piracy and sea robberies, assured State Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Anti-Piracy Forum, jointly organised by the Sarawak and Sabah Shipowners Association (SSSA) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy (ReCAAP) here today, he said no incidents of piracy have been reported in Sarawak waters, including along major shipping routes to local ports.

Henry explained that sea robberies generally occur in international waters, where no single enforcement agency has jurisdiction.

"As far as Sarawak is concerned, it is safe. In our rivers, there are no pirates, no robberies," he said.

Henry noted that piracy and robbery incidents usually happen in open waters beyond national boundaries, such as the route between Kuching and Singapore, where slow-moving barges are more vulnerable.

"After leaving Malaysian waters near Kuching, ships enter other territories before reaching Singapore.

"In between, there is a stretch with no enforcement agency, and that is where robberies sometimes happen,” he said, adding that such incidents rarely escalate to hostage-taking.

Citing statistics from ReCAAP, he said more than 100 sea robbery cases were reported in Asian international waters last year – most of them outside Malaysian jurisdiction.

Henry emphasised that the forum aimed to raise awareness among local shipping operators about safety measures and to strengthen cross-border cooperation in monitoring high-risk zones.

"The safety of our local shipowners is important. We work closely with federal maritime and naval authorities to ensure Sarawak waters remain secure," he added.

Also present at the forum were SSSA chairman Yong Ing Huong, ReCAAP ISC assistant director Kwon Soon Tee, and Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA) chairman Haji Mohamed Safwan Othman.

Credit: Michael Ubam, The Borneo Post 2025