And as international security procedures are tightened
terrorist organisations are beginning to concentrate on
“soft option targets” which are more difficult to protect.
“Evidence suggests that terrorist groups have already
considered striking maritime targets particularly in
the Straits of Malacca…” In Southeast Asia Jemaah
Islamiyya members have been observing maritime
patrols and other terrorist organisations (including Al
Qaeda) have already struck in Aman attacking the “USS
Cole” in October 2000, the French oil tanker, “Limburg”
in Yemen in October 2002 as well as multiple attacks
from May 2004 onwards against key oil infrastructure in
Southern Iraq.
Some terrorist groups have also shifted strategy from
political to economic objectives and have already “…
threatened to target (the West’s)…economic lifeline…
(recognising that)…one of the most effective ways to
disrupt the economy is to attack the oil supply…with
devastating probable effect on world oil prices…(as well
as massive damage to the maritime environment)”.
The international community is becoming increasingly
concerned not only about the seriousness and increased
violence of piracy and the potential consequences to
Southeast Asian and global economies, but also with
suspected links between pirates and terrorist groups.
In October 2003 Singapore’s Defence Minister, Rear
Admiral Teo Chee Hean, noted the “…potential threat
from sea-borne terrorism…focussing on the serious
economic and strategic repercussions for the whole
world…”. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tony
Tan, noted in January 2004 that”…there is an almost
military precision in recent (pirate) attacks on merchan