Piracy is alive and well in Southeast Asia, and it is posing political problems for policymakers. Piracy incidents in and around the Straits of Malacca and Singapore have recently increased at an alarming rate -- in both number and severity. But these modern pirates are a far cry from the swashbuckling rogues of old.
Increasingly these crimes are perpetuated by organized international gangs that plan the caper well in advance, hijack the ship with its cargo and sell both in foreign markets. These modern pirates are also often violent and increasingly target ships and citizens of maritime powers like Japan.
Although Southeast Asia has tried to address the problem, its responses and indigenous capabilities are no longer adequate. The maritime powers have raised a public hue and cry for immediate and effective action to make the seas "safe" for navigation. Japan has even proposed a regional coast guard to combat the problem. But this increasing public pressure has raised both old and new political questions.