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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Review maritime laws with Sabah, Sarawak a harmonisation exercise, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review maritime laws with Sabah and Sarawak, ensuring that the process respects the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and preserves the states' maritime powers. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Malaysia Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC) had been given one year to complete their review, which was aimed to harmonise the outdated laws. "All six Acts will be reviewed in an integrated manner, and we hope to take a more comprehensive approach. "The principle here is that we are not looking to consolidate authorities, especially with regard to merchant shipping. We are not trying to merge or take over any authority from Sabah and Sarawak. "Maritime powers under the Sabah and Sarawak governments will remain intact. We respect the MA63. "What we are doing now is a harmonisation exercise. By harmonisation, we mean that if there are inconsistencies or conflicting provisions across laws, we aim to align them so that the legal provisions between the peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak are consistent. "That is what we are working on, with cooperation and consent from the Sabah and Sarawak governments," he told reporters after officiating Malaysia Maritime Week today. Last week, Loke announced the establishment of MLRRC, which would be chaired by Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan. The first phase of the MLRRC Committee's assignment will focus on six main legislative instruments, namely the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sabah) and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sarawak). Other instruments include the Penang Port Commission Act 1955, the Port Authorities Act 1963 and the Port (Privatisation) Act 1990. The MLRRC membership consists of 23 permanent representatives from ministries or departments, and the Sabah and Sarawak governments. Loke said the revision was necessary as many of the existing maritime laws were outdated and had not been amended. "Many of these laws are no longer relevant or in line with current developments. We need to revisit them to ensure our maritime industry remains competitive," he said. He added that although the committee tasked with the review was given a one-year timeframe, they had been instructed to expedite the process. "Once the review is completed, we will appoint consultants to examine the legislation and draft the necessary amendments. When the drafts are ready, they can be presented to the ministry at any time. "We hope that starting this year, we will be able to table proposed amendments during every parliamentary sitting," he said.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Govt establishes Malaysia Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee
PUTRAJAYA: The government, through the Transport Ministry, has officially established the Malaysia Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC). In a statement on Thursday (July 10), the ministry said the committee is chaired by Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, while High Court of Malaya (Admiralty) judge Ong Chee Kwan serves as deputy chairperson. The presentation ceremony of appointment letters to the MLRRC members was officiated by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, marking the official commencement of collective and phased efforts to review and reform the country's maritime laws. "The establishment of the MLRRC committee is a strategic step to strengthen the legal landscape of the country's maritime sector in line with the Prime Minister's mandate through the Initiative 10: Legal and Institutional Reforms in the presentation of Budget 2025," read the statement. The ministry announced that the establishment of this committee reflects the government's commitment to building a modern, progressive, and responsive national maritime legal system to keep pace with the increasingly complex maritime landscape of global maritime trade. "Malaysia, as a trading nation that heavily relies on the shipping and port sectors where 94.6% of the country's trade is conducted via sea, the country requires maritime laws that are efficient, relevant, and aligned with international best practices," said the statement. The MLRRC Committee will conduct a phased review process, reforming and drafting maritime laws, taking into account the magnitude and complexity of the work for each legislative instrument involved. At the same time, this committee is also mandated to review and recommend improvements to maritime laws under the jurisdiction of the ministry and other agencies, considering that the country's maritime legal system is polycentric. The first phase of the MLRRC Committee's assignment will focus on six main legislative instruments, namely the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sabah) and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sarawak). Other instruments include the Penang Port Commission Act 1955, the Port Authorities Act 1963 and the Port (Privatisation) Act 1990. Meanwhile, the ministry said that the MLRRC membership consists of 23 permanent members comprising representatives from ministries or departments, the Sabah and Sarawak state governments, legal practitioners, academics, enforcement agencies, industry representatives as well as former senior government officials. To strengthen technical expertise, eight ad hoc experts have also been appointed, covering the fields of shipping, port operations, maritime training and international shipping law. "The implementation of this legal review and renewal will be carried out in stages until next year, in line with the National Transport Policy and supporting the National Maritime Legal Reform agenda towards a more sustainable, inclusive and dynamic system. "The ministry remains committed to continuously strengthening governance and the maritime legal framework to ensure the competitiveness of the national shipping industry at the regional and global levels," added the statement. – Bernama
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia forms maritime law reform committee to modernise shipping sector
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has officially launched the Malaysia Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC) to modernise the country's maritime legal framework. Chaired by Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, the committee will oversee reforms to align Malaysia's shipping laws with international standards. Transport Minister Anthony Loke presented appointment letters to committee members, marking the start of a phased review process. The initiative supports Budget 2025's legal and institutional reforms, aiming to enhance Malaysia's maritime trade competitiveness. Malaysia relies heavily on sea trade, with 94.6 per cent of its commerce conducted via shipping. The MLRRC will focus on updating key legislation, including the Merchant Shipping Ordinances of 1952 and 1960, as well as port-related acts. The committee includes 23 permanent members from government agencies, legal experts, and industry representatives. Eight ad hoc specialists in shipping, port operations, and international maritime law will provide technical support. 'The reforms will ensure Malaysia's maritime laws remain efficient and relevant,' the MOT stated. The review process is expected to continue into next year, supporting the National Transport Policy and sustainable maritime development. – Bernama
