Cooperative Mechanism Component

The littoral States of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore recognize the Importance of the Malacca and Singapore Straits for international navigation, and are committed to ensuring navigational safety in the Straits, protecting its marine environment, and facilitating safe transit of vessels through the Straits.

As a demonstration of this commitment, the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, initiated various trilateral consultations since 1971. These culminated in the establishment of a Tripartite Technical Experts Group, or the TTEG by their three Foreign Ministers In 1977. Recognizing that maintaining the safety of navigation b the Straits is the responsibility of the three littoral States the three Ministers agreed to a set of guidelines for senior officials and technical experts to further their work in the Straits.

The set of guidelines which subsequently became the terms of reference for the TTEG, include:

1. Working to enhance safety of navigation; and
2. Promote dose cooperation and coordination on anti pollution policy and measures in the Straits;
3. Initiate consultation with IMCO, (the then IMO) on the Traffic Separation Scheme, and with users of the Straits

The TTEG has achieved several significant milestones. These include:

1. The IMO-adopted Ronteing System in the Malacca and Singapore Straits, implemented in 1981;
2. The IMO-adopted mandatory ship reporting system, STRAITREP, implemented in 1998;
3. A Four Nation Joint Re-Survey of Critical Areas and Investigation of Dangerous or Unconfirmed Shoals and Wrecks in the Malacca and Singapore Straits, carried out from Sep 1996 to Jun 1998;
4. Cooperation  with User States.
   1. Japan has assisted in conducting hydro graphic survey of the Straits, and installing and maintaining aids to navigation
   2. Malacca Strait Council’s contribution of 400 million yen to a Revolving Fund” from which the three littoral States can draw an advance for combating accidental oil spills from ships in the Straits;

The TTEG has proven to he an effective framework through which coordinate measures could he implemented between the three littoral States. Beyond this, the TTEG believes that all stakeholders ha e a role, and international cooperation is needed in maintaining the navigation safety and environment protection of the Straits.