Important data emanated from the Singapore-based International Maritime Bureau on the increase in pirate attacks and abductions at sea. In 2002, 192 such cases were recorded, followed by 399 cases the following year. Unfortunately, 139 of those pirate attacks and abductions take place on Indonesian waters, in particular the Malacca Strait, through which 50,000 commercial ships navigate.

Like an avalanche, the problem has gone out of control.