Jakarta. Lawmaker Charles Honoris has called on the government to ratify existing international laws to prevent piracy at sea amid a string of hostage situations in the Sulu Sea, southern Philippines.

According to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Indonesia has had the highest incidents of piracy attacks in the world. The government is still yet to apply a national law to specifically address sea piracy.

“Generally, the mitigation of all crimes and law violations at sea are applied by the Indonesian Navy. One of the closest regulations is Article 438 of the Criminal Law,” Charles said in Jakarta, on Friday (29/07).

Charles said international conventions on piracy are still yet to be ratified — including the 1979 International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages, the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA) and the 2006 Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).

He also recommended the government initiate a legal framework against piracy and maritime crimes in Southeast Asia in order to create a joint commitment to preventing, arresting and punishing pirates.

The establishment of an information center for intelligence sharing is also crucial, Charles said.

The lawmaker urged the country to become an Asean leader in combating sea piracy and crimes.

Charles is a member of the House of Representatives Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs.