| VISION | MISSION | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | MEMBERS | MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION | ARTICLE OF ASSOCIATION |
| Introduction | Malaysia's Maritime Resources | Public awareness | Research Areas | Organisation | Funding | Fellowship | Location |
INTRODUCTION
The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) is a policy research institute set up by the Malaysian Government to look into matters relating to Malaysia's interest at sea, and to serve as a national focal point for research in the maritime sector. MIMA was incorporated under the Companies Act 1965, as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, with its own
Board of Directors.
The Institute takes a comprehensive approach in dealing with maritime issues. Its role is to deal with national, regional and global maritime matters affecting Malaysia. MIMA is therefore expected to contribute towards a meaningful, comprehensive and cogent national maritime policy for Malaysia.
One key task of the Institute is to complement the efforts of the various government agencies involved in the maritime sector by mobilising expertise to assist and support them in national maritime policy planning and implementation. The Institute’s role will be both advisory and consultative. MIMA will provide advice and second opinions to Government agencies and other relevant organisations. The Institute also has the task of promoting the free exchange of ideas on all maritime matters.
MALAYSIA'S MARITIME RESOURCES
By virtue of an extended Exclusive Economic Zone jurisdiction, Malaysia has acquired a sea area which is much larger than its land mass. This spatial dimension is accentuated by the fact that Malaysia is a classic example of a nation fragmented by intervening waters, with more than 600 kilometres of the South China Sea separating Peninsular Malaysia from Sabah and Sarawak.
Maritime resources also contribute substantially to Malaysia's prosperity with petroleum and gas constituting Malaysia's single largest export commodity. Significantly, all of the nation’s gas and oil fields are found offshore.
In addition, more than 90 percent of Malaysia's export is seaborne, while the fishing industry provides jobs for two per cent of the labour force. It is obvious therefore, that the maritime sphere will become increasingly important in economic and security terms.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Another key role of the Institute is public education and information dissemination. MIMA is conscious that unless Malaysians become more aware of their maritime heritage, and how important the sea is in their daily lives, Malaysia will not be able to achieve its rightful status as a maritime nation.
MIMA feels that it is important to sensitise the public to the significant contributions of the maritime sector in the national economy, its important as the nation's first line of defence, its potential for national integration, and its place in the nation's heritage. In the lights of this, the Institute has adopted "Advancing the Frontier of Maritime Knowledge" at its motto.
MIMA also has an active programme involving the cross-exchange of ideas with its counterparts overseas. The Institute has established several extensive networks with specialists worldwide, and this has contributed substantially to the body of thought and literature on maritime affairs in Malaysia.
RESEARCH AREAS
The following areas are of immediate relevance to MIMA:
Coastal & Marine Environment.
MIMA aspires to contribute to ecologically sustainable development of marine resources and the conservation and protection of marine environment through its research activities in the fields of coastal area management; prevention and reduction of pollution; ecosystems conservation; resource management; and conservation of biological diversity while at the same time raising the level of public awareness on issues related to the marine environment. These activities will be conducted with a view of providing inputs into the decision-making process and in collaboration and co-operation with relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Maritime Security & Diplomacy.
With the growing importance of the maritime sector in the nation's economy, MIMA
promotes research into areas that support the Government’s efforts in
safeguarding the national maritime interests of the country. This will include
maritime resource protection policies and strategies and regional maritime
co-operation initiatives that will promote confidence-building at sea and
transparency in maritime strategies and policies. One such initiative is the
Prevention on Incidents at Sea (INCSEA) Programme.
Economic Studies & Ocean Industries.
As Malaysia
aspires to become a maritime nation, the contribution of the maritime sector
towards the growth and dynamism of the Malaysian economy becomes more
significant. MIMA's research will hopefully complement the nation’s Vision 2020,
which aims to make Malaysia as an industrialised nation. Research will focus on
the strategic thinking required to successfully implement a National Ocean
policy for Malaysia and in particular to highlight issues on ports, shipping and
international trade in the context of protecting and enhancing the larger trade
interests of the Malaysian economy. Of significance too are the maritime
industries and services that support the efficient functioning of the maritime
sector, especially ship building and ship repairing, services such as maritime
insurance and banking and new opportunities for investment. As effective
planning depends on accessibility to data and the quality and quantity of data,
the development of a comprehensive maritime database will also be a priority.
Ocean Law & Policy.
This will include outstanding
issues relating to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions, safety of navigation and
regulations pertaining to the issues of boundary delimitations and resource
disputes.
Maritime Resource Centre.
MIMA intends to become the regional maritime resource centre, with a comprehensive
reference library, information and knowledge centre.
ORGANISATION
The centres at MIMA are designed to be flexible and adaptable to allow multi-disciplinary research. MIMA is organised into the following centres:
1. The Centre for Coastal & Marine Environment (CMER)
2. The Centre for Economic Studies and Ocean Industries (ESOI)
3. The Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy (MSD)
4. The Centre for Ocean Law and Policy (OLAP)
5. The Centre for the Strait of Malacca (CSOM)
6.
The MIMA Resource Centre (MRC).
Linking all the centres is the Finance and Administration Division. This division plays a key role in supporting research at MIMA.
FUNDING
Although MIMA is fully funded by the Government, the Institute's charter permits it to receive funds locally and from abroad. MIMA does not believe in working in isolation. Much is to be gained from the exchange of ideas and MIMA therefore offers itself as the national focal point for maritime research institute world-wide to link up with.
As a growing research organisation, MIMA seeks friends and allies as well as intellectual support. At the same time, the Institute recognises the need to upgrade research expertise and human resource development, especially in the marine environment, ocean industries and maritime transport, legal cooperation, and maritime security.
FELLOWSHIP
As part of its human resource development programme, MIMA has implemented a fellowship / scholarship scheme locally and abroad. This will include fellowships at MIMA, catering mainly for visiting researchers and scholars. Overseas scholarships and fellowships are primarily intended to upgrade the expertise of MIMA staff. In this respect, MIMA welcomes any organisation which can contribute to the fellowship / scholarship programme.
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MIMA is located at: Telephone: + 6 03 2161 2960
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Page last update: 04-02-2008
© 1993 - 2008 Maritime Institute of Malaysia