While I am happy to learn that the two MISC ships hijacked by pirates off the Horn of Africa earlier have been freed, the method — USD4 million was reportedly paid — to secure the freedom of the ships as well as its crew is far from ideal.[1][2] There is no guarantee for the episode not to repeat itself.
It seems clear that the pirates based in Somalia are purely in it for the money and are not driven by some ideological struggle. Several other ships from different countries of origin have also been hijacked and the pirates’ demands are clear and consistent. They want money. Indeed, when the pirates hijacked an Ukrainian ship ladened with military equipments, the demand remains the same: money. They are uninterested in the cargo of the ship, at least, so far.[3]
The act of succumbing to the demand of the pirates pays off the pirates’ effort. Piracy of the kind off the coast of Somalia will continue to occur as long as there are profits for them. For them to enjoy profits, their revenue from piracy has to keep coming in while the cost of doing so continues to be under control.
Revenue will continue as long as there are entities like MISC which pay off ransom and cost will continue to be controlled as long as no one fights back.
To stop piracy, piracy has to be turned into an unprofitable industry. Victims need to persistently refuse to meet the pirates’ demands while upholding private property and individual liberty. In other words, there is a requirement to fight back. Failure to fight back increases the cost of trade and affects economic growth.
France so far has been the only state resorting to force against the pirate. Their operations have been successful.[4] The French did request for Malaysian aid in one of its operations but Malaysia turned down due to ongoing negotiation between MISC and the pirates.[5]
There is already a multinational force patrolling the area. Among them are the United States, Russia, Germany and France.[6][6a] There are also talks that South Africa — a regional power — might might be joining the force.[7]
Malaysia had three military vessels active in the area after two MISC ships were hijacked but with the release, the Royal Malaysian Navy vessels are escorting the MISC ships back home.[8]
Being a victim, Malaysia should really join the multinational force to convey to the pirates that Malaysia does not intend to see a repeat of the episode and that Malaysia is prepared to fight back. Presence in the area could also give Malaysian vessels passing through the Red Sea extra protection since we would have a say in the multinational force. Extra attention could be given to Malaysian vessels.
But are the presence of military ships in Somalian waters a violation of sovereignty?
No. These foreign vessels are there because the United Nations Security Council grants permission for foreign warships to enter Somalian waters to fight piracy.[9] In fact, even the de jure government of Somalia allows these foreign vessels to operate in Somalia to fight piracy.[10] This easily alleviates my concern regarding violation of sovereignty.
Whether it is a matter of time before the growing presence of heavily-equipped foreign navies around Somalia will reduce the incidences of piracy there, the state of anarchy is Somalia is beginning to adversely affect the neutral others. No longer countries like Malaysia which are reliant on international trade could sit idly and watch from afar. Active participation in effort to combat the piracy is required; the new Defense Minister which is also the Prime Minister needs to flex some muscle.
The surest way to reduce the threats of piracy is to have international force in Somalia, on the ground, or at least in the ports which these pirates operate from. Effective controls over these ports is a necessity in combating piracy.
Resorting to settlement with the pirates as MISC had done does little in protecting private property and individual liberty for Malaysians as well as for others. In fact, MISC will only establish a reputation of succumbing to ransom demand for itself, possibly making its vessels popular targets in the future. And since the MISC vessels fly the Malaysian flag, the implication is not pretty for any vessel flying the Malaysian flag.
[1] — Hassan slammed Malaysia’s local media for speculating that a total ransom of US$4 million was paid. [Pirates off Somalia free second Malaysian ship. International Herald Tribune. September 30 2008]
[2] — The release of MT Melati Lima on Sept 28 and MT Bunga Melati Dua yesterday brought about relieve and joy to millions of Malaysians and Muslims worldwide, preparing to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow. [MT Melati 5 release brings joy and relieve to Rizal’s family. Bernama via New Straits Times. September 30 2008]
[3] — Pirate Sugule Ali told the AFP news agency by satellite phone that his group wanted a ransom of $20m (£11m) and were not interested in the weapons. [Warships surround Somali pirates. BBC. September 29 2008]
[4] — France, which has troops in nearby Djibouti and also participates in a multi-national naval force patrol in the area, has intervened twice to release French sailors kidnapped by pirates.
Commandos freed two people whose boat was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month and in April, six arrested pirates were handed over to the French authorities for trial. [US destroyer nears Somali pirates. BBC. September 28 2008]
[5] — KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s help was sought by the French navy in Tuesday’s daring rescue of a French couple held by Somali pirates on their luxury yacht in the Gulf of Aden.
The Royal Malaysian Navy, however, had to turn down the request for fear of jeopardising ongoing negotiations to free two hijacked Malaysian vessels — the MT Bunga Melati Dua and MT Bunga Melati Lima, owned by Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC). [France sought our navy’s help. Adrian David. New Straits Times. September 29 2008]
[6] — See Combined Task Force 150 as well as Piracy in Somalia at Wikipedia. Accessed October 1 2008.
[6a] — A Russian warship headed for the seas off Somalia Friday after pirates seized a Ukrainian freighter carrying 33 tanks, munitions and other weaponry, officials said. [Russia sends warship after Somali pirates. Japan Today. September 29 2008]
[7] — Pirate Sugule Ali told the AFP news agency by satellite phone that his group wanted a ransom of $20m (£11m) and were not interested in the weapons. [Pirates die strangely after taking Iranian ship. Andrew Donaldson. The Times. September 28 2008]
[8] — The Malaysian government later dispatched three Royal Malaysian navy vessels – KD Lekiu, KD Inderapura and KD Pahang – to escort MISC ships home. [MT Melati 5 release brings joy and relieve to Rizal’s family. Bernama via New Straits Times. September 30 2008]
[9] — The UN security council has unanimously adopted a resolution allowing foreign warships to enter Somalia’s territorial waters to fight piracy. [Warships to combat Somalia piracy. Al Jazeera. June 3 2008]
[10] — See Piracy in Somalia at Wikipedia. Accessed October 1 2008.