Call for action

It took a while, but finally the United Nations (UN) has called for action against the Somali pirates who are terrorising the Gulf of Aden. The UN resolution was adopted unanimously by all members calling on "States with naval vessels and military aircraft operating off the Somali coast to use all necessary means against acts of piracy".

Normally, I do not agree with the use of military force. However, in this case, the surge of piracy in the busy waters of the Gulf of Aden, has provided a serious cause for concern. Attacks on trade vessels carrying civilians of various nationalities, hijacking these ships and putting the hostages at gunpoint are, to me at least, uncivilised and uncalled for. Not only are trading countries affected, but lives of these civilians who work on board these vessels are also at risk.

It is even more worrying when these pirates managed to hijack a vessel carrying tanks and weaponry. I hope that with this UN resolution, the threat posed by the pirates could be negated or at least, reduced. And more importantly, at the same time, the UN must also look at the root cause of it all. Lawlessness, poverty and lack of an effective government in Somalia should also be taken care of. Somalis turn to piracy in part because the activity is lucrative. Unless this is changed, I doubt we'll really see the end of the Somali pirates.

Syawal joy

My brother phoned my mother on the morning of the 1st of Syawal. His ship has safely made it across the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden. He is currently in Egypt en route to Europe via the Suez Canal. His ship and three others owned by MISC were escorted in a convoy by the Royal Malaysian Navy.

While the ships managed to get through, the Somali pirates certainly tried to hijack the Malaysian ships. However, the presence of the navy put them off. I can't write too much about the strategy employed by MISC to fend off the pirates, nor can I write in detail what happened (as told by my brother). This is because as the Chairman of MISC was quoted to say, "I cannot tell what we plan to do, then the pirates will know - they are very Internet-savvy."

It goes without saying that the situation is indeed tensed at the Gulf of Aden with the standoff between pirates and warships. Nonetheless, whatever plans that MISC put in motion did work this time around, and let's hope that things will improve in the troubled waters. My brother's phone call certainly brought shine to my family's Aidilfitri celebration.

On another related note, the news of the release of all the crew members of the hijacked ships owned by MISC on the run-up to Aidilfitri was certainly a happy one, especially to the family members of the hostages. This news certainly is something to be thankful for as we celebrate this important day in the Muslim calendar.

Close shave

A close shave for Malaysian vessel, Bunga Seroja Satu, when Danish warship, Absalon, helped thwart an attack by Somali pirates at the Gulf of Aden. Swift action on the part of both Bunga Seroja Satu and Absalon helped deter the attempted hijacking. Things do not seem to be improving as there has been at least four attempted attacks on trade ships in the past three days.

Should the situation at the Gulf of Aden does not show any sign of improving, shipping cost will increase as ships will have to ply an extra 3,501 nautical miles and add another 12 days by sailing around Africa to get to Europe (and vice versa). The Gulf of Aden is the passage to the Suez Canal. Unless and until the problem of maritime piracy is solved, chances are the Suez Canal would be relatively quiet - resulting in a loss of income for Egypt.

There is also a report that an unidentified warship has captured 14 Somali pirates on Sunday. Whether this will bring about a solution to the crisis remains to be seen.

I do hope that the international community tackles this piracy menace at the Gulf of Aden promptly and effectively. No doubt, the problem that occurred is a spillover from the socio-political problems plaguing Somalia. Aside from tackling the Somali pirates at sea, efforts must also be taken to alleviate the situation in Somalia itself.

Pirates of the Gulf of Aden

The hostage situation involving two MISC ships are still unresolved. Negotiations with the Somali pirates are still on-going. The United States meanwhile is also helping out to resolve the crisis.

The Malaysian Royal Navy has sent in three vessels including a frigate, F30 KD Lekiu, to the troubled waters to provide security cover for Malaysian ships sailing the Gulf of Aden. Nonetheless, all MISC ships are still prohibited from going through the pirate-infested waters until security is improved.

My family and I are hoping that things are well with my brother's ship, Bunga Melati Tujuh, remains safe. While his ship is not involved in the current crisis, it is still worrying because the ship is near the pirates' den.

As a side note, F30 KD Lekiu was one of two frigates (the other being F29 KD Jebat) built by Yarrow Shipbuilders UK based in Glasgow in the 1990s. I remember pretty well the launching of these two frigates because I was in Glasgow when the two frigates were built and eventually launched. I even had the pleasure of knowing some of the Malaysian navy personnel who was involved with the project, some of whom remained as friends till today.

F29 KD Jebat was launched in December 1994 while F30 KD Lekiu in May 1995. Remembering back, the launches of these two frigates were indeed something to be proud of. And knowing that one of the frigates is assigned to protect Malaysian ships makes me feel prouder still.

Jack Sparrow, they ain't

I am the eldest of three siblings. My sister who is the youngest in the family is doing Mathematics at the Kuantan campus of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). My brother who is two years younger than me is the Chief Engineer currently on board Bunga Melati Tujuh, one of the ships in the fleet of the Malaysian International Shipping Company (MISC).

Imagine my worry when news got out that two of MISC's ships - Bunga Melati Dua and Bunga Melati Lima - have been hijacked on 19th August and 29th August by Somali pirates at the Gulf of Aden. My brother's ship was in Sri Lanka and was heading towards the Gulf of Aden. I was informed by my sister-in-law who was in contact with MISC that Bunga Melati Tujuh has been directed to slow down while awaiting further instructions. And the latest instruction was that the ship was to return and not proceed to the Gulf of Aden. This area is seeing a surge in piracy of late.

I watched the news on television earlier tonight. Apparently, there are four Malaysian vessels near the pirate-infested waters. And that all four have been told to not enter to the high risk area. In the meantime, efforts are on-going to obtain the freedom of the 65 Malaysians being held hostage, along with 35 others.

I am indeed thankful that my brother who heads the engineering crew, as well as his shipmates, aboard Bunga Melati Tujuh are safe. At the same time though, I pray for the safe return of the crew members who are being held captive by these modern day pirates. And I also pray that their family members remain strong and hopeful.

Personally, if not for the fact that my brother works in the shipping line, I would be very oblivious to the importance of this industry to our nation's economy. And I suspect many are like that, too. The people who work on board sea vessels actually sail on dangerous waters, spending their time away from their family and loved ones for months at end, while transporting precious cargo crucial for the import-export business. They are, in fact, our modern day "unsung heroes" carrying out their duties for the sake of the nation and its people.

Let's not keep a blind eye on news that involve these "unsung heroes" just because they occur thousands of nautical miles away from home.