The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is set to deploy a helicopter-equipped special task and rescue team at Johor Bharu.
"The team is in addition to the other MMEA personnel tasked to combat piracy. I can't tell you the number of personnel, but (it is) formidable enough to undertake any anti-hijacking operations," First Admiral Maritime Zulkifili bin Abu Bakar, director of maritime matters in the MMEA's crime investigations department, told Reuters.
Over 70 ships have been attacked in the Malacca and Singapore straits, on the western side of the Malay Peninsula, this year, the highest number since at least 2008.
Late last month six vessels were targeted by pirates over a period of less than 30 hours in the eastbound lane of the traffic separation scheme off Singapore.
The incidents prompted calls for security levels to be stepped up in waters surrounding the island nation.
"Although local VTIS have broadcast reports of incidents, there has been very little involvement from regional security forces," said Dryad Maritime.
"The response of deploying a patrol boat to the area after the event can be seen as too little, too late."
Dryad argues that these events show a need for a permanent security presence in this area during the hours of darkness.
The UK-based security firm added that until this has been put in place, the boardings and robberies can be expected to continue unhindered.
