Malaysian Naval officer says Malacca piracy assertions overblown insurance scam

Reported here:

A top ranking Malaysian naval officer has dismissed continuous assertions that the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest waterways in the world, is a high risk zone for terrorist attacks. Rear Admiral Danyal Balagopal Abdullah told Adnkronos International (AKI) that contrary to reports by insurers and even the United States government, the number of attacks in the Straits fell significantly from 2000-2005 due to joint operations and tighter scrutiny by Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

"The Malacca Strait is one of the most peaceful routes in the world and any talks of terrorist threats here reflect the vested interests of selected parties," he said in an interview.

Abdullah added that in the post 9/11 years, insurers have capitalised on the global war on terror to raise the risk for commercial vessels using the Strait. The fear was exacerbated by al-Qaeda video footage in 2002 that showed a Malaysian police patrol in the Strait, indicating the group's interest in the waterway.

Yeah, that video and the second higest piracy rate on the planet, though it has slowed.

2005 Piracy in the area: