Introduction

MIMA Introduction

The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) – formerly known as Malaysian Institute of Maritime Affairs – 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. Established in 1993, 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.

MIMA’s Roles:

• 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 task 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. It will be both advisory and consultative. 
• MIMA is to give public education and information dissemination. MIMA also has an active programme involving the cross-exchange of ideas with its counterparts overseas.

Funding

• MIMA is fully funded by the Government. However, MIMA charter permits it to receive funds locally and from abroad.
• As a growing research organisation, MIMA seeks friends and allies as well as intellectual support.

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.
• MIMA welcomes any organisation which can contribute to the fellowship / scholarship programme

Research Centres

• 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 of Incidents at Sea (INCSEA) Agreement.
• The Straits of Malacca
  As an important waterway since the 7th century, the Straits of Malacca plays a significant role to the world, especially the littoral countries. Having such significance, addressing crucial issues on the Straits is of the importance. For that reason, MIMA aims to play a significant role in the management of the Straits of Malacca. This is done within the following thematic areas, namely safety of navigation, strategic governance of the Straits, security from traditional and non-traditional threats, safety of navigation for vessels and protection of its fragile marine environment. A comprehensive inter-disciplinary approach is practiced in addressing issues of law, environment, economy, etc. to achieve effective governance of this critical global infrastructure.
• Maritime Economics and Industries
  Being a nation surrounded by seas, it is not surprising that the seas and the maritime sector play an important role in Malaysia’s economic growth and development.  An estimated 95% of Malaysia’s international trade is carried by seaborne transport and ports act as gateways that facilitate the nation’s import and export.   Shipping and port operations are supported by a wide range of ancillary services such as shipbuilding/ship repairing, logistics, ship management, financing and legal services, among many others.  These activities facilitate the nation’s trade an economic growth, generate huge investments and create employment.  In addition, all of Malaysia’s oil and gas riches which provide crucial source of revenue to the country and generate tremendous economic multiplier effects, are available offshore.  There are also a wide range of activities that provide sustenance, transportation, source of income and other benefits to the country.  Given the importance of the seas to Malaysia’s economy, MIMA gives strong emphasis to conduct research that can contribute to further development and promotion of maritime economic activities and industries and to enable Malaysia to optimally harness economic benefits from its maritime features.  MIMA is currently focusing its attention on conducting policy research that can enable the maritime sector to contribute to the attainment of the goal of transforming Malaysia’s economy and making it a fully developed nation by 2020, as aspired by the New Economic Model.
• 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.