Latest news with #MerchantShippingOrdinance1960
The Sun
4 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
4 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and Reform Committee (MLRRC) had been given one year to complete their review, which was aimed to harmonise the outdated laws.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
Borneo Post
09-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Marine police detain boat, tanker lorry attempting to transfer 24,000 litres of diesel in Kuala Baram
Handout photo shows the boat caught transferring diesel to the tanker lorry. MIRI (May 9): The marine police detained a boat and tanker lorry in the process of transferring diesel at the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) jetty in Kuala Baram here on Monday. Marine Police Force Region 5 Sarawak commander ACP Ab Rahman Mat Hasan said the shipmaster and lorry driver were also held during Op Taring Landai for failing to produce any documented proof of authorisation from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN). 'Further checks found that both the lorry driver and the shipmaster, both of whom are local citizens, failed to produce any documented proof of authorisation to possess or store or transport controlled goods without a permit or special approval from KPDN. 'As a result of the raid, the authorities seized one boat, one tanker lorry, and approximately 24,000 litres of diesel fuel,' he said in a statement today. The total estimated value of the seizures was approximately RM10.252 million. Ab Rahman said the arrests and seizures were made under the Supply Control Act 1961 and the case is being investigated by KPDN. Additionally, he said the shipmaster also committed offences under the Sarawak Rivers Ordinance 1993 for operating without a qualified Master/KED and failure to produce a River Transport Permit during inspection, as well as offences under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 for operating without a boat licence and operating without a chief engine driver. He explained that cases under the Sarawak Rivers Ordinance 1993 have been referred to SRB, while those under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 were referred to the Marine Department Malaysia for further action. The police, especially Marine Police Region 5 Sarawak, welcome all forms of information and cooperation from the public, and strongly encourage tip-offs to help combat crime effectively. Those found guilty under the Supply Control Act 1961 (Section 21): Possessing/Storing/ Transporting Controlled Goods Without Permit/Licence/special approval from KPDN may be punished with imprisonment, a fine, or both.
