Terrorist attack alert in Strait of Malacca

Jakarta: The governments of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have said they are beefing up security in the Strait of Malacca after the Singapore Navy sounded an alarm, warning of possible attacks on oil tankers.

The Strait of Malacca

The Strait of Malacca is a key shipping lane for world trade, and the Singapore Navy said it had received indications a terrorist group was planning attacks on oil tankers in this narrow waterway.

Diplomatic sources in Singapore have revealed that the original warning of a likely attack came from Japan.

Malaysia said its coastguard had already stepped up security.

The Indonesian defence minister said his country would step up patrols in the area.

The channel is used by tankers to carry oil from the Middle East to Asian markets, principally China and Japan.