KUALA LUMPUR: Jemaah Islamiyah is believed to be the terrorist group planning the attacks on oil tankers along the Straits of Malacca.
An intelligence source here said it was most likely that the attacks would come from terrorists operating along Sumatra's coastline.
"They will probably be using small boats or fishing vessels," said the source, adding that JI was still active in Southeast Asia despite several successful operations against them.The New Straits Times also learnt that a high-powered meeting was held recently in Putrajaya involving all security agencies here on the threat which was highlighted by a local shipping company.
"The alert is being taken seriously," said the source, adding sea patrols and air surveillance have been beefed up.
On Wednesday, the Singapore Navy had issued a warning of possible attacks on oil tankers and other large cargo vessels plying the Straits of Malacca.
National Security Council (NSC) director-general Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab said they had raised the security alert level after receiving their own intelligence report on the threat. NSC is the lead agency working on the threat.
"Malaysia and other littoral states have always maintained a high alert level when it comes to security of ships plying the straits," said Thajudeen.
"Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore have curtailed piracy along the straits. The navy and security agencies from these countries have joint exercises and operations regularly," he said.
International Maritime Bureau piracy reporting centre head Noel Choong advised ships to keep round-the-clock watches when passing through the Straits of Malacca.
"The terrorists need the element of surprise if they want to attack. They need to do it quietly."
He further advised ships to inform government agencies the moment they detected any suspicious activities.
"These are all territorial waters and the littoral states are now on the alert. "Unlike in the Gulf of Aden, the authorities can respond very quickly if there is an attack," he said.
Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the navy had stepped up patrol along the straits and was keeping an eye on all ship movements there.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the police were always on alert for any terrorist threats.
"We are constantly exchanging information and it will be the same for this threat," he said.
Police have deployed several vessels from their Marine Operation Force and Air Wing Unit to patrol the straits.
