Latest news with #MerchantShippingOrdinance1952
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
MMEA seizes nearly RM830,000 in controlled items from boat off Sandakan
Malaysian Maritime personnel inspecting petrol drums and gas cylinders seized from a kumpit boat off Sandakan waters. SANDAKAN: Personnel from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized controlled items valued at nearly RM830,000 from a boat allegedly attempting to smuggle them to a neighbouring country off the coast of Sandakan. Sandakan Maritime Zone director Capt Muhamad Suhairy Hussain reported that the vessel was intercepted approximately 0.8 nautical miles from Tanjung Aru waters late Sunday (July 20), following suspicious behaviour. "Aboard the boat were a skipper and seven foreign crew members aged between 27 and 50 who failed to produce valid travel documents," he stated. Additionally, six passengers — four men and two women believed to be foreign nationals aged between 16 and 41 — were found on the vessel. Further inspection revealed 250 blue drums containing 50,000 litres of petrol, 15 drums filled with 3,000 litres of diesel, and 120 gas cylinders of various brands, all lacking valid declaration documents. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1962, Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, and Immigration Act 1959/63. Suhairy emphasised that the operation demonstrates the agency's ongoing commitment to combat smuggling and safeguard Malaysian waters.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Seven boats detained for overloading near Pulau Redang in MMEA op
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained seven passenger boats for multiple safety violations, including overloading, during a special operation near Pulau Redang. The crackdown followed inspections of 26 boats in the area. Maritime Captain Hamiludin Che Awang, director of Terengganu MMEA, confirmed that one boat was found carrying 42 passengers in a single trip, far exceeding the permitted limit. 'This is not a minor offence. This is a case of negligence that can cost lives. Maritime Malaysia will not compromise,' he stated. Other violations included missing passenger manifests, mismatched captain details, and expired operating licences. A total of 14 crew members and boat captains, aged between 20 and 40, were investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and issued compounds. Hamiludin warned that MMEA will take strict action against operators who disregard safety protocols, such as failing to provide life jackets or overloading boats. He urged the public to report unsafe maritime activities, emphasising that safety is a shared responsibility. The enforcement operation comes after a recent tragedy near Pulau Perhentian, where three tourists, including two children, drowned when their boat capsized. Investigations revealed the skipper tested positive for drugs, and none of the passengers were wearing life jackets. MMEA plans to intensify patrols in tourist-heavy waters ahead of school holidays and festive seasons to prevent further incidents. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia reviews six maritime laws to boost industry competitiveness
PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Transport is reviewing six key maritime laws to modernise Malaysia's shipping sector and align regulations with current industry demands. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the review includes the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and related Sabah and Sarawak ordinances. A special committee chaired by Federal Court Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan will oversee the legislative updates. The proposed amendments are expected to reach Parliament within a year. Loke clarified that the revisions aim to harmonise laws across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak without undermining state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. The review covers the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sabah), Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sarawak), Penang Port Commission Act 1955, Port Authorities Act 1963, and the Port (Privatisation) Act 1990. Loke stressed that the federal government has no plans to take over Sabah and Sarawak's maritime authority. Separately, the ministry plans to introduce the Admiralty Bill this year to establish a specialised maritime court. Currently, shipping disputes are handled by the High Court. The new court would streamline maritime case resolutions. – Bernama
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.
