BLACK clouds were hanging in the sky over the Singapore Strait at dawn last week Tuesday. Strong wind blew over the sea surface, sending waves 3 meters high. Defying the unfriendly weather, six Indonesian warships were on patrol, supported by one Nomad (patrol) aircraft flying low. We are closing the waterway to Singapore, said Junior Vice Admiral Muryono, Commander of the Indonesian Western Fleet.

It was not a routine duty. Usually only three war