The Malaysian government will harmonise maritime laws to ensure uniformity across the country without undermining the authority of Sabah and Sarawak, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Speaking at the launch of Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (July 15), Loke emphasised that while maritime ordinances at the federal and state levels — including those specific to Sabah and Sarawak — would not be merged, efforts are underway to streamline regulations for consistency and national progress.
“We are not combining the ordinances, but harmonising them to align policies and resolve inconsistencies. This is not about taking away powers, especially from Sabah and Sarawak. Their maritime rights will be fully respected,” he stressed.
Loke highlighted that many existing maritime laws are outdated and no longer reflect current global developments. To address this, a review is being conducted by the Malaysia Maritime Law and Reform Committee, chaired by former Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nalini Pathmanathan. The committee has been given one year to review six key maritime laws, but Loke assured that legislative proposals could be submitted to Parliament as soon as they’re ready.
As part of the reform efforts, the ministry plans to establish an Admiralty Court dedicated to maritime matters. Currently, maritime cases are heard at selected High Courts, but a specialised court would strengthen Malaysia’s legal framework and judicial expertise in handling maritime disputes.
Touching on the economic aspect, Loke acknowledged that Malaysia’s heavy reliance on foreign shipping lines for international exports contributes to a significant transport-related trade deficit. While local shipping companies exist, most focus on domestic operations, leaving international trade in the hands of foreign vessels.
He said the government is addressing this gap by supporting local players in niche sectors such as oil and gas. “We’re encouraging local oil tanker companies to expand internationally, which can help narrow the deficit in maritime transport services.”
On a positive note, Loke revealed that Malaysia’s port sector is seeing healthy growth. The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), in particular, is expected to be ranked among the world’s top 10 busiest ports by Lloyd’s List this August. Port throughput (PDP) has shown nearly 10% monthly growth throughout the first half of 2025.
In his speech, Loke cited a long-standing vision for Malaysia. “As stated in the Fourth Malaysia Plan (1981-1985), the objective is to become a ‘Maritime Nation’. This means nurturing every sector directly connected to the maritime industry.”
He concluded that with harmonised legislation, updated infrastructure, and a stronger legal framework, Malaysia is poised to strengthen its standing as a regional maritime hub.
