Sarawak to reform maritime laws, strengthen regional anti-piracy measures, says minister
SIBU (Aug 6): The Sarawak government is taking steps to review and reform its maritime laws to better protect local shipping interests and strengthen regional anti-piracy efforts, said state Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.
Delivering his remarks through his deputy minister Dato Henry Harry Jinep at the Anti-Piracy Forum 2025 here today, Lee emphasised that maritime threats remain transnational and require integrated responses.
'Maritime transport is the backbone of Sarawak's coastal and riverine economy. Ensuring the safety of our shipping lanes is vital for connecting rural communities and supporting economic growth,' he said.
Lee revealed that his ministry is currently in the initial stage of reviewing the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sarawak) to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with current shipping developments.
He also noted that Sarawak has been appointed to the Maritime Law Review and Reform Committee (MLRRC), a body endorsed by the Federal Cabinet, allowing the state to ensure its interests are represented in the nationwide maritime legal reform.
While Sarawak waters remain free from piracy, Lee cautioned that opportunistic sea robberies have been reported in regional waters, particularly in busy straits and international zones where enforcement is limited.
'Piracy is not a problem any single nation can solve alone. I urge authorities, shipping operators, and regional partners to collaborate through vigilance, real-time reporting, and joint patrols,' he said.
The forum, co-organised by the Sabah and Sarawak Shipowners Association (SSSA) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), serves as a platform for intelligence sharing, fostering partnerships, and strengthening maritime safety measures.
Lee also called on federal and state enforcement agencies to enhance surveillance along Sarawak's coastal waters to safeguard seafarers, shipping companies, and local maritime trade routes.
'Together, through innovation, intelligence, and integration, we can push piracy further into the past and ensure our maritime domain remains a space of peace and prosperity.'
The forum brought together shipowners, enforcement agencies, and international partners to discuss strategies aimed at securing sea lanes and protecting the lives of seafarers navigating regional waters. anti-piracy Lee Kim Shin maritime laws reform
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