Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA)

Venue : Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Date : 6-7 August, 2010

The dire prospect of conflict breaking out in the South China Sea (SCS), a key sea lane of communication (SLOC), arising from unresolved multiple and conflicting interests of many countries, and changing power balance in the sea, has caught the attention of policymakers not only from those countries but from elsewhere.  This pivotal sealane, believed to contain prolific hydrocarbon energy deposits, has been a stage for many regional nations to stake their claims over parts and features of the sea.  As disputes in the SCS show no sign of resolutions any time soon, greater focus is trained on this SLOC which features many complex factors and enduring issues that need to be addressed, managed and resolved to ensure peace and prosperity in the region.

Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling, dynamic commercial centre of Vietnam, where the workshop was held
Photo : Nazery Khalid

Date : 4-5 August 2010

Malaysia Logistics Council (MLC) - a council set up under the Third Industrial Master Plan 2006-2020 (IMP3) as a focal point for policy, regulatory and strategic coordination to promote the Malaysian logistics sector - Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysian Institute of Transport (MITRANS), a research centre at Universiti Teknologi MARA, convened the 'Workshop on the Development of Freight Logistics Services in Malaysia' on 4-5 August at the Shah Alam Convention Centre.

The aim of the workshop was to discuss in detail the six strategic initiatives that have been spelled out in a study titled 'Roadmap for the Development of the Freight Logistics Services Sector' commissioned by MLC to address the challenges faced by the Malaysia logistics industry.  They include :

Date: 3 August, 2010
Venue: Maritime Institute of Malaysia

The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) in collaboration with the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) organised the above event on 3 August, 2010.  This was basically a follow-up to the Seminar, entitled Marine Mammals Conservation in Malaysia: Adopting Sustainable Management Strategies, organised by MIMA in 2009, where various issues and threats to marine mammals' survival were discussed. One of the major shortcomings identified was the absence of a national marine mammal stranding response network in the country.

This Roundtable Discussion emphasised in greater detail, issues pertaining to the marine mammals' survival and the need to conserve them. Current standard procedures for rehabilitating stranded marine mammals in the country were also reviewed while exploring the expertise and facilities of relevant agencies and organisations in handling marine mammal stranding. The meeting also discussed in detail, the setting up of a national Marine Mammal Stranding Response Network in Malaysia.