INTRODUCTION

A recent uptick in pirate assaults off the coast of the nation of Somalia has brought the long-standing
issue of piracy back into the spotlight. Although it is unlikely to do so on its own, international
marine protection for commerce vessels offers some hope for reducing the issue. If southern Africa
becomes the preferred maritime route, pirates will run out of prey. Similar to land-based terrorism,
maritime terrorism is a relatively minor issue. It frequently occurs in conjunction with piracy,
although there is a big distinction between the two; whilst the latter is done for one's benefit, the
former is done for a greater good. While it is conceivable that marine terrorists may eventually turn
into pirates, the reverse change is virtually unthinkable. The explanation of these two events is
followed by a brief discussion of how these two phenomena relate to certain naval tactics. The world
community is now seriously threatened by maritime piracy, particularly in the Southeast Asian
region. Because Southeast Asia is the route taken by 45% of shipping firms, this danger has had a
significant impact on the global economy, the environment, and the political stability of the nations
concerned. The worrisome reality is that both typical maritime pirates and terrorists are responsible
for these attacks. This essay explores the effects of maritime crime in Malaysia and questions
whether these attacks fall under the concept of piracy as it is defined by international law. This essay
concludes that to combat maritime terrorism, a regional collaboration between governments and
the development of a strong security system for a state is essential. Therefore, it is necessary to
amend international law to broaden the definition of piracy and incorporate maritime terrorism.