PUTRAJAYA, Jan 7 — The Transport Ministry (MOT) has announced a phased review and modernisation of Malaysia's maritime legislation, with the entire process scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
It reiterated its commitment to strengthening maritime governance and legal frameworks to enhance the global and domestic competitiveness of Malaysia's shipping and port sectors.
In a statement today, the MOT confirmed that the inaugural session of the newly formed Malaysian Maritime Law Revision and Reform Committee (MLRRC) was held yesterday.
The high-level committee is chaired by Federal Court Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, with Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Ong Chee Kwan serving as deputy chair.
The government established the MLRRC to update and reform national maritime laws, align them with international standards, and facilitate smoother trade and transport.
The ministry added that the first meeting signalled the start of a strategic initiative to comprehensively review, modernise, and reform the legal corpus, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in supporting national economic competitiveness.
The meeting centred on a preliminary Inception Report prepared by a specialist consultancy firm appointed to support the committee's work.
Discussions focused on defining the project's scope and methodology, and on conducting a gap analysis of existing legislation, including a review of current areas of overlapping jurisdiction.
