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Published: Wednesday January 5, 2011 MYT 1:59:00 PM

Maritime patrols stepped up

KUALA LUMPUR: An official says authorities have stepped up patrols off the southern Malaysian coast following an increase in piracy.

First Admiral Zulkifli Abu Bakar of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said up to 10 men armed with knives and pistols have robbed crew aboard four ships off Johor in the past week.

He said Wednesday his agency has increased its patrols and will send helicopters to monitor the area because of the "sudden increase" in robberies at sea.

The pirates mostly stole valuables and cash in the pre-dawn attacks.

Bakar says last year, there were seven cases of sea robbery between January and November.

"We are stepping up our efforts to combat this robbery," he said. - AP