ReCAAP Exec Director Responds to Fears & Criticisms

ReCAAP Executive Director's Message Regarding the Piracy and Armed Robbery Situation in Asia

FOLLOWING coverage by some recent media reports, the ReCAAP ISC Executive Director has released a statement in response to the fears and criticims raised through media by shipping-related organisations. His message reads:

As many of you know, the increased number of reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery in our region in recent years has attracted some concerns in a certain circle of the shipping industry and further their criticism against some of the functions by the ReCAAP ISC has emerged through the media report. In this context, I would like to take the opportunity to make a few remarks to allay their fears raised by the media reports which we, at ReCAAP ISC, consider to be unfounded.

In the course of this year some media releases regarding the situation in Asia have given rise to a potentially negative perception of the role of ReCAAP. Specifically, this has manifested itself by asserting that the ReCAAP ISC is downplaying the number of attacks through its classification system or using the term “insider-job”. The media also reports allegations by some experts of the shipping industry about lack of cooperation with other stakeholders, placement of blame on victim and lack of confidential information on the frequency of siphoning incidents on the part of the ReCAAP ISC.

These assertions have not gone unnoticed. As Executive Director, of the ReCAAP ISC, I take them very seriously as they may shake the relevance of the ReCAAP to the maritime community which I have particularly endeavoured since I took up this post. I was therefore pleased to note that at the latest Annual Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference held last month in Singapore there was an opportunity for our stakeholders, comprising representatives from shipping Associations including those who are criticising the ReCAAP, international organisations and law enforcement agencies in both member and non-member countries, to exchange views and comprehensively address these important issues.

The stakeholders discussion on the current situation in our region revealed several valuable perspectives and assessments to explain the rise in the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea. In the spirit of accountability and co-operation, the ReCAAP ISC stands ready to make a strong argument based on our factual and statistical data to demonstrate the validity of our reporting methodology. There was, among others, the basic argument about the validity of assessment reflecting only quantitative aspect, discarding another important aspect, qualitative aspect. In other words, regardless of the nature of incidents, being hijacking or petty theft, one incident is one incident ? However, this being said, I believe on this occasion there can be no better testament in support of the role of the RECAAP ISC has placed than reference to the comments arising from the various expert stakeholders who have reached their own favourable views of the ReCAAP ISC’s role based on an objective and informed basis.

If I may, I will now touch upon the objective and impartial assessment made by relevant third party stakeholders concerning the several criticisms levelled at the ReCAAP ISC.

IMO Assistant Secretary-General

In the keynote speech delivered by IMO’s Assistant Secretary-General Mr Andrew Winbow, he clearly mentioned that ReCAAP ISC was courageous in delivering objective reporting even though the figures were not always welcomed. He observed that it being done for the sake of transparency. And for the sake of the transparency and status as the reputable entity. He encouraged the ReCAAP ISC to continue working with stakeholders to collectively address these challenges; congratulated the ReCAAP ISC’s achievement and advised us to keep moving forward to aim at the Centre of Excellence in the field of information sharing with confidence on ourselves.

Under-Secretary-General of United Nations

The Under-Secretary-General of United Nations Mr Jeffrey Feltman, in his message stated his appreciation for the role played by the ReCAAP ISC in helping to ensure the safe navigation of vital sea lanes in Asia region and expected the ReCAAP ISC to play the role of conduit to collectively address these challenges through a multi-dimensional approach involving stakeholders in various fields and from various regions.

INTERPOL

INTERPOL, through its enhanced co-operation with the ReCAAP ISC has extended its network to assist the shipping industry to address the emergence of siphoning incidents through the sharing of its expertise in combating organised crimes. This has generated considerable interest from many in the shipping industry through the promotion of ongoing dialogue with INTERPOL. INTERPOL has stated that it highly appreciates the pro-active efforts made by the ReCAAP ISC in facilitating and enhancing cooperation in this area which is in line with ReCAAP ISC’s spirit of strengthening and promoting cooperation with as many as relevant stakeholders as possible. From the panel discussions that took place at the conference, it has become clear there is no foundation to the allegations of downplaying the incidents through the “classification system” or an “insider-job” that were attributed to the ReCAAP ISC in the media reports. The recognition conferred by those who made the allegation that the ReCAAP ISC has in fact done a tremendous amount to improve the accuracy of reporting in the region is greatly appreciated and to their credit.

CONCLUSION

In concluding, I believe the main objective shared by all the stakeholders in this region is to “make the sea in Asia safe”. In this regard, I reiterate the proposal I made at the conference to urge relevant qualified stakeholders to jointly work towards producing guidelines to address the clear and present challenge we currently face in the form of the frequency of siphoning incidents.

Finally, I wish to reiterate that the ReCAAP ISC remains open to receiving continous advice and suggestions from all our stakeholders. In a spirit of mutual respect and co-operation, we believe that positive interaction can benefit the performance of the ReCAAP ISC and its engagement with stakeholders; as the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon once rightfully pointed out the unique nature of this crime, “No one agency or one Country can address this transnational crime alone; the collective efforts by all the stakeholders are required”, a well-phrased remark. Taking good note of his remark, in our capacity as the only Government-to-Government legal setup in this region as well as our extensive network ranging from the private stakeholders to the law enforcement agencies, as well as to the relevant international organisations. We shall galvanise our collective effort and deepen our cooperation to achieve our common endeavours. In this regard, I am pleased to note that Asian Shipowners' Forum (ASF) is appreciative of the all-out efforts taken by ReCAAP in addressing the combat of piracy and armed robbery at sea in Asia and welcome my message together with several Asian Shipping Associations. We will work closely together with them toward reducing the threats of piracy and armed robbery in Asia.

Download Full Message and Enclosures HERE [pdf]:

Source: ReCAAP ISC

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