Publication

This paper examines the maritime challenges of Southeast Asia and the capacity of its coast guards to deal with them under the presumption that the potential for military engagements in future is limited in the region. It concludes that these challenges come not only from criminals, thieves, smugglers, pirates, insurgents and terrorists but also from corruption. According to the author, currently, regional coast guards do not have the capacity to face such challenges and will only be able to face them by consolidation and uniformity; development of personal quality standards, force level and equipment; and proactive national legislation among others.