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FORUM Bound by Shared Interests and Destiny Contributed by Nazery Khalid Nazery Khalid argues in favour opportunities that can be optimally “Malaysia is a strong proponent of of promoting maritime economic reaped through sharing and pooling cooperation as a means to difuse of resources, data, information and maritime cooperation with the littoral tension in the South China Sea expertise. states of bodies of water with which Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh Against this backdrop, there is a United we stand, divided we fall growing need for nations to increase it shares. This includes in areas of engagements in maritime cooperation. Mankind’s dependency on the sea Our intensifying use of the sea navigation safety, environmental is increasing in tandem with growing generates ripple efects which are need for resources and global trade felt across maritime boundaries. The protection, maritime security, volumes. The sea inadvertently acts fuid expanse of the sea demands as a conduit for crimes such as piracy, that nations collaborate to address shipping and marine science and trafcking and smuggling, and as a common issues and safeguard mutual stage on which maritime disputes interests. This sometimes requires technology”. and strategic interests of nations are them to set aside diferences and to played out. Climate change is creating compromise, which is not always easy to assist the littoral nations in the havoc, as underlined by the frequent to do amid them jealously protecting maintenance and upkeep of the Straits. occurrence of tsunamis, typhoons and their interests. This calls for Malaysia to manage rise in sea levels. both its interests and those of other To the fore of maritime cooperation stakeholders in these waterways in These bring with them a host of such a way that these interests do not attendant issues and challenges for Being a nation surrounded by seas, collide, harmony is maintained and the nations bordering the seas and the and whose maritime area is larger than needs and aspirations of all interested international community to face. its land mass, Malaysia understands parties are attended to. This has to be Rising shipping trafc increases the very well the need to forge cooperation done without undermining our national risk of collision and pollution, and at sea with its littoral neighbours and interests and compromising on our attracts pirates to attack ships in the international community. It has sovereign rights. certain vulnerable areas. Land-based engaged actively in various maritime- pollution and sea-based activities related activities on the bilateral and Take SCS which has been such as shipping, port operations multilateral platforms. In doing so, commanding international attention and ofshore energy exploration and Malaysia is living up to its membership owing to the maritime disputes and production can cause adverse efects in the prestigious International complex strategic ‘power play’ that to the fragile marine environment. The Council of the International Maritime have caused regional tension. This insatiable global demand for food and Organization (IMO), the specialised sea of tremendous economic and geo- energy fuels, the never-ending pursuit agency of the United Nations strategic importance is characterised for fsh and ofshore oil and gas, raises responsible for the safety and security by, among others, overlapping claims concerns over their sustainability. of shipping and for preventing marine over maritime features and boundaries, The rash of natural disasters and pollution by ships. Malaysia borders unsubtle actions of regional and extreme environmental impacts pose two of the world’s most well-known external powers to safeguard their serious threat to not only the marine and vital sea lanes, namely the Straits interests in the sea, and high-handed ecosystems and resources but also of Malacca and the South China conducts towards other countries to assets and lives. The openness Sea (SCS). The importance of these involved in the disputes. and security of certain strategic sea two critical passageways from an lanes are coming under pressure from economic and strategic standpoint Such a complicated, vast theatre maritime disputes and naval conficts. also puts them in the radar of many involving manifold parties and interests All these highlight the fact that the countries including external powers. requires the actors to exercise utmost maritime realm is not an entity that can They are keen to have a say in matters restraint, compromise and cooperation be efectively managed by one country. pertaining to their interests in these to untangle the disputes and work The vastness of the oceans, their sea lanes, which at times may run towards enduring solutions through trans-boundary nature and the issues, counter to Malaysia’s interests. For peaceful and diplomatic means in challenges and threats therein that example, international users of the accordance with international laws and do not respect borders require close Straits of Malacca would like to see norms. If the situation is not managed cooperation among littoral nations to the waterway being open, safe and well, the disputes and tension may confront, manage and address. The secure at all times to suit their needs, lead to conficts that can threaten oceans also ofer bountiful riches and sometimes without caring much regional peace, prosperity, security 2 bulletin@idfr.gov.my DIPLOMATIC VOICE 3