EXBS: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE/INDONESIA/PHILIPPINES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000470 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL MY SUBJECT: EXBS: MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE/INDONESIA/PHILIPPINES ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE - KUALA LUMP 00000470 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY ¶1. (U) The Ambassador, the Deputy Chief of Mission and visiting Commerce DAS Kasoff drew on points drafted by Advisor to press senior Malaysian officials to move quickly on the export control law and to work constructively with the Embassy on export control training programs. Advisor attended a familiarization session at the Hotel Nikko with staff from the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore on May 7, 2009. Advisor participated in the Asia Technical Workshop on the Megaports Initiative in Bangkok, Thailand May 5-8, 2009. A site assessment in the Philippines was conducted May 18-22,2009. Advisor attended EXBS Advisors' Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia June 1-4, 2009. SITE ASSESSMENTS/MEETINGS ¶2. (U) With the installation of a new Prime Minister and the resulting change of key government officials, Economic Counselor and Political Counselor have consulted with Advisor on information, background, and status of attempts for engagement on workshops,training,and other assistance to the GOM to assist both the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission prepare for discussions with high level GOM officials. The Ambassador, the DCM, and visiting Commerce DAS Kasoff drew on points drafted by EXBS Advisor in meetings with Ministers and senior Malaysian officials over the past month, including the Minister of Trade (KL 422) and MITI Secretary General Rahman (KL 463) pressing for early passage of the export control law and engagement on EXBS training. During a meeting held on June 8, 2009 the DCM was advised by MFA that GOM would send a representative to the Export Control Conference in Istanbul, later this month. That commitment was confirmed in writing later in the day and Advisor initiated actions to arrange for the participation of the Principal Assistant Director, Import and Export Control Division, Ministry of International Trade and Industry. ¶3. (U) On May 7, 2009 Advisor met with representatives of the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore at the Hotel Nikko. In addition to enhancing the relationship with staff from the High Commission, the hotel staff provided a briefing on accommodations and services that may be considered when obtaining a venue for future training/workshop events. ¶4. (U) Advisor's participation in the Asia Technical Workshop on the Megaports Initiative in Bangkok, Thailand May 5-8, 2009 provided insight on progress and challenges of the Meaports Initiative in Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Indonesia is still in the process of determining whether to join the Megaports Initiative. In unofficial conversations, its delegation expressed concerns regarding sustainability as well as the number of ports at which detection equipment should be installed. The Republic of Philippines gave two presentations during a general session of the workshop in which it was noted that work was begun in 2004 on a Memorandum of Understanding with a revision of the MOU in 2005 followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Intent later in 2005. The ROP presenter, Julietta Seguis of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (Note: Ms. Seguis has been a participant in licensing training offered through EXBS in the Philippines) noted that the benefits of Megaports were limited to Manila. She further noted the use of a technical working group composed of representatives from National Security Council (Coordinator); Bureau of Customs; Department of Foreign Affairs; Bureau of Internal Revenue; Department of Transportation and Communication; and the Philippine Ports Authority. The second presentation from the Philippines was from the operator of International Container Terminal Services who provided very positive comments on the benefits to trade of more secure cargo and shared his experience that the screening did not interfere with the timely movement of cargo. Senior Assistant Director Johari Bin Alifiah from Royal Malaysian Customs noted during his presentation that in Malaysia, the design for Port Klang has been completed and construction of the systems has begun with an anticipated completion date in September. The design phase for port Tanjung Pelepas has been completed but construction has not begun yet. There has also been discussion between the US Department of Energy and Royal Malaysian Customs on development of a curriculum for training in Megaports technologies and methodologies at the Customs training KUALA LUMP 00000470 002.2 OF 002 facility in Malacca. During informal discussion with the Malaysian delegation, some concern regarding adequate staffing to man radiation portal monitors was expressed. One member of the Malaysian delegation had observed the operation of radiation portal monitors during his participation in the EXBS funded International Seaport Interdiction Training (ISIT) in August 2007 at the US Port of Charleston,SC. ¶5. (U) A site assessment was conducted in the Philippines May 18-22, 2009. The NGO team expressed appreciation for the scheduling that was arranged by the EXBS FSN and Economic Assistant at the US Embassy in Manila which resulted in access to the appropriate entities and personnel for conducting an effective assessment. TRAINING CONDUCTED ¶5. (U) None. IMMINENT TRAINING/EQUIPMENT UPDATE ¶6. (U) Final arrangement are being made for equipment delivery in the Philippines. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS ¶7. (U) None RAPSON