logo
Experts laud move to establish dedicated maritime court

Experts laud move to establish dedicated maritime court

KUALA LUMPUR: The soon-to-be-tabled Admiralty Bill, which seeks to establish a dedicated maritime court, is a timely and necessary step, say maritime law experts.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) maritime policy expert Professor Datuk Dr Saharuddin Abdul Hamid said the initiative marks a significant progression from the current Admiralty Court framework, which operates under the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.
"An Admiralty Court is a specialised court to deal with maritime disputes. As Malaysia continues to grow as a strategic maritime nation, the need for a robust legal infrastructure tailored to these issues cannot be overstated," he told the New Straits Times.
While the existing Admiralty Court is functional, he said it lacks the depth of specialisation required to effectively resolve the growing number of maritime disputes.
"A dedicated maritime court would allow for the appointment of judges and legal personnel with deep expertise in international maritime law. This level of specialisation will ensure more consistent and informed rulings. This brings Malaysia closer in line with global maritime legal hubs such as Singapore and the United Kingdom," he said.
He said time is often critical in cases involving vessel arrests, cargo damage, charter party disputes and pollution claims. A court focused solely on maritime matters, he said, would reduce case backlogs and enhance resolution timelines, reinforcing confidence among both domestic and international stakeholders.
UMT senior lecturer Wan Mariam Wan Abdullah said location accessibility was a long-standing issue, as the current court only sits in Kuala Lumpur.
"Ports in Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Penang and Johor are underserved. Regional divisions under a new court would bridge that gap," she said.
She added a specialised court would also improve coordination with enforcement agencies and port authorities, particularly for enforcement cases involving ship detentions, pollution breaches and port regulations.
She added the move would also position Malaysia as a cost-effective alternative to Singapore for maritime dispute resolution and expand maritime arbitration services to attract international cases.
Meanwhile, maritime lawyer Srimurugan Alagan welcomed the concurrent effort to review outdated maritime legislation under the Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC), chaired by Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan.
"Many of Malaysia's maritime laws are based on pre-Merdeka laws, such as the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, and they were drafted for the applications of that time. It is not keeping up with modern industry developments," he said.
He said the committee's review of six core maritime-related laws was a major step forward as Malaysia is positioning itself as a shipping hub.
"We're in competition with countries like Singapore, which are far ahead in this regard. So it's important that our maritime laws are updated and competitive," he added.
Yesterday, Loke said the Transport Ministry will table an Admiralty Bill. He said the Bill would be presented during the third session of Parliament this year, scheduled between October and December.
Loke added that the MLRRC had been given one year to complete its review, which was aimed at harmonising the outdated laws.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

RM10mil allocated for people-centric programmes in Muar, says Anwar
RM10mil allocated for people-centric programmes in Muar, says Anwar

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

RM10mil allocated for people-centric programmes in Muar, says Anwar

MUAR: RM10mil has been allocated for people-centric programmes in Muar, according to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister stated that the funds were intended to enable the district to implement programmes that would benefit the local community. 'This RM10mil allocation will be utilised effectively through various identified development projects. 'As such, the Muar District Office can come up with a list of initiatives to help the people here, especially the underprivileged,' he said. Anwar was speaking at the official launch of the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at Dataran Tanjung Emas here on Sunday (July 27), marking the start of the nationwide celebration of patriotism and unity. He said the implementation of the projects would be coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister's Department, in collaboration with the Muar District Office. 'I would also like to thank the people of Muar for spreading the Merdeka spirit as the host of this campaign,' he said.

Anwar to launch National Month in Muar today
Anwar to launch National Month in Muar today

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Anwar to launch National Month in Muar today

MUAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the launch of the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at Dataran Tanjung Emas here on Sunday (July 27), marking the beginning of the nationwide celebration of patriotism and unity. Deputy prime ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof are expected to be present at the event along with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. At the event, the prime minister is also scheduled to flag off the 2025 Jalur Gemilang Merdeka Expedition Convoy, which will travel across the country carrying the message of unity and patriotism. The side events for the launch of the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang have started since last Friday, featuring various community and family-oriented activities such as colouring competitions and a singing competition, known as the Bintang Suara Madani, art performances, and local cultural activities. Two key highlights that drew significant attention from visitors were the Madani Community entrepreneur booths, which featured micro and small traders from across the country, and the government and private agency service booths, which provided a range of public services and facilities. Among the services offered at the event are free health and dental check-ups, driver's licence renewals by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), services from the National Registration Department and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), women's health screenings, as well as a 30 per cent discount on the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) traffic summonses. Today's highlight also includes the Merdeka 6.8km Fun Run & Walk and a convoy performance featuring both land and water assets. Organisers are expecting over 10,000 visitors, aiming to ignite the spirit of patriotism in the lead-up to National Day on August 31 and Malaysia Day on September 16. - Bernama

CIMB Positive On Govt Stimulus, Spur Consumer Sentiment
CIMB Positive On Govt Stimulus, Spur Consumer Sentiment

BusinessToday

time3 days ago

  • BusinessToday

CIMB Positive On Govt Stimulus, Spur Consumer Sentiment

The Malaysian consumer sector is set for a short-term boost following the government's new fiscal support measures, according to a report by CIMB Securities. The firm is positive on the impact of the stimulus, which is designed to alleviate living costs and stimulate domestic spending ahead of the upcoming Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations. The measures announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim include: A one-off RM100 e-credit for all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, benefiting an estimated 22 million individuals. The credit, which is part of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, will be redeemable from August 31 to December 31, 2025, at over 4,100 designated retail outlets, including Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave, and 99 Speedmart. The subsidised price of RON95 petrol will be reduced from RM2.50/litre to RM1.99/litre for all Malaysians, impacting approximately 18 million eligible vehicles. The government has stated that an update on the RON95 subsidies rationalisation plan will be announced by the end of September. September 15, 2025, has been declared a public holiday to encourage domestic travel and boost the services and tourism sectors. A RM500 million allocation will be used to cap toll hikes at 10 highways throughout 2025, providing relief to commuters, particularly in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya. The budget for this initiative has been doubled to RM600 million for 2025. CIMB Securities views the stimulus as 'incrementally positive,' reinforcing near-term consumer spending, especially on essential goods and value-based retail. The report highlights several companies that are well-positioned to benefit: 99 Speedmart is a key beneficiary, with an estimated 900 to 1,000 of its outlets participating in the SARA programme, allowing it to capture a significant share of the stimulus-driven spending. Eco-Shop Marketing is also well-placed, with over half of its 349 stores part of the SARA initiative. Mynews, with 30 of its Supervalue outlets participating in the broader Rahmah Madani programme, is expected to see a boost in footfall and sales. Food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers like Nestlé, F&N, QL Resources, and Farm Fresh are expected to see stronger demand for basic food and beverage products, many of which are eligible for purchase with the e-credit. Despite the positive short-term outlook, CIMB Securities is maintaining its Neutral call on the overall consumer sector. The firm believes current valuations are fair, as the positive impact of the stimulus is balanced by ongoing headwinds. These include soft consumer sentiment, higher sales tax on discretionary goods, the impact of boycott activities on some companies, and cost pressures from the expanded Sales and Service Tax on rental. The report's top picks within the consumer sector are 99 Speedmart, Farm Fresh, and Padini, citing their defensive sales mix, growth potential, and attractive valuations. Related

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store