STOCKHOLM, Sweden, KOMPAS.com - A research institute based in Sweden, Monday, said the import of weapons on a large scale by the countries of Southeast Asia last five years could threaten the stability of this region.
Institute of the Stockholm International Peace Research (SIPRI) said in its annual report that the import of weapons by Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia jumped 84 percent, 146 percent and 722 percent respectively between 2005 and 2009, compared with the previous five years. "A wave of acceptance (the weapon) Southeast Asia today can make it unstable region, endangering several decades of peace," said Siemon Wezeman, SIPRI Asian experts, in the report.
Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia this month has increased sea patrols in the Malacca Strait, an important shipping lane, after Singapore Navy stated that they had received indications of a terrorist group was planning attacks on oil tankers. According to the research institute, the increase in the purchase of fighter aircraft and long-distance by a third warship has affected the country's business plan to get the (weapons) from neighboring countries.
Last year, Vietnam became the last South East Asian countries who book long-distance aircraft and submarines. Singapore is the first member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, since the end of the Vietnam War, which will be included among the 10 important importer of weapons, SIPRI said.
Institute of Sweden, who do independent research on safety, weapons and international disarmament, said the global arms transfers in the last five-year period rose 22 percent, with Asia and Oceania as the largest recipient with 41 percent of the total. Europe followed with 24 percent, then the Middle East 17 percent.
U.S. remains the largest exporter of military equipment on the world, which is responsible for 30 percent of arms sales abroad during the period. Almost 40 percent of U.S. shipping, was sent to Asia and Oceania and the same amount to the Middle East
source: www.kompas.com
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