PETALING JAYA, July 15 — The Transport Ministry (MOT) is reviewing maritime laws to strengthen Malaysia’s maritime industry and ensure it remains competitive and aligned with current needs.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said a special committee, chaired by Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, has been established to examine the legislation and propose amendments, which are to be tabled in Parliament in a year.
“When the committee is ready, we will proceed with one legislation at a time, starting with the Merchant Shipping Ordinance,” he told reporters after officiating the Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 today.
The six laws under review are the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, 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 emphasised that the government has no intention of taking over Sabah and Sarawak’s maritime authority. Instead, the aim is to harmonise maritime legislation with Peninsular Malaysia without affecting the rights of the states under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He said the MOT also plans to table the Admiralty Bill in Parliament this year to establish a dedicated maritime court to handle shipping-related disputes.
“Maritime cases are handled only by the High Court now. We aim to create a more comprehensive judicial system for maritime matters, through this bill,” he said.
— Bernama
