Piracy and the maritime security in Southeast Asia.

Abstract

Piracy is considered a critical maritime security threat in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is a vast region of Asia which is situated to the east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China. Piracy is a reflection of a number of geopolitical and socioeconomic problems and security concerns, including the lack of state control over national territory, problems in cooperation between countries, and the existence of radical and politically motivated groups and organized crime networks. Many steps have been taken in national, regional and global level to combat piracy in Southeast Asia since piracy has become a main factor for destabilizing the maritime security in Southeast Asia. But none of them have become successful. Here in this research the objective is to identify the remedies for combating piracy in Southeast Asia by analyzing the historical background and the former steps taken by the states and the global community. Through the analysis it can be identified that the reasons caused for the failure are specific steps taken by the states and the other institutions. The research is a qualitative research conducted using secondary data. The secondary data are collected from the sources such as journal articles, newspaper articles, books and online sources in the web. Through the study it has been identified that the free and safe navigation of commercial vessels in Southeast Asia which is essential for international trade gets threatened by the piracy in Southeast Asia and has become a threat for both maritime and economic security. The risk of piracy in the region has already led to a high economic cost reflected by the loss of merchandise and ships and the increased insurance premiums added to a number of cargoes that pass through the Strait of Malacca. Therefore, a cooperative mindset should be developed and promoted, whereas territorial sovereignty will still retain its respect. Information sharing between states would enhance the relations among the states. To conduct such cooperation factors mutual trust, respect and confidence building among states and the people regionally and extra-regionally are needed.