Ships lack alert systems?

Well, according to this, they don't have good ones:

Many ships are vulnerable to pirate attacks as they do not have high-tech communications equipment to promptly relay distress signals to the relevant authorities.

Armed Forces chief Laksamana Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said this hindered the authorities’ fight against piracy in Malaysian waters.

He urged shipping companies to install such equipment so that pirates could be intercepted immediately.

“If they disregard this matter, then piracy will continue to be a thorny issue for them.

Yep.