Piracy has historically been endemic to the Asia Pacific, yet both the public and government in many countries have neglected to address the problem by treating it either as sparsely occurring criminal activities or as a thing of the past. Nowadays pi...
Piracy has historically been endemic to the Asia Pacific, yet both the public and government in many countries have neglected to address the problem by treating it either as sparsely occurring criminal activities or as a thing of the past. Nowadays piracy still exists, under new forms, which require new means for its suppression. Today''s pirates is using hi-tech equipment, carrying automatic weapons and travelling in speedboats. The pirate syndicate not only has machine gus and mobile phones, but kind a sate-of-the-art communications, Global Positioning Systems and transmitters to keep ahead of law-enforcement vessels. The phenomenon has been a constant threat to maritime security in the region. Incidences in Indonesia, the Philippines and the South China Sea threaten safe passage along these high-traffic shipping and trade routes. Sustained, high-levels of piracy could potentially disrupt economic activities in a number of countries in the region. This thesis will focus on the phenomenon''s impact in Southeast Asia. In the second chapter, the thesis will elaborate on how important it is for the countries in east asia to secure SLOC safety. There have been various definitions concerning piracy. However, there is still lack of comprehensive and more specific definitions of piracy. In the third chapter, I will elaborate on ''who they are?'' with historical and legal approach. It will then be followed by an explanation on the trends of piracy and factors that contribute to these trends'' growth and sustenance. I will also explain on the present countermeasures to piracy taken by the governments in this region and international organizations including IMO. The problem of piracy can no longer be ignored. Incidences in the Asia Pacific are growing rapidly and there is a need to understand the phenomenon''s security implications. With the end of the Cold War, the possibility of general-all-out war is less likely. However the threats to the safety of SLOC are more ser