Ninety-five per cent of our exports goes by sea, most of it through some treacherous sea lines of communication in the world, including the South China Sea, Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea and the volatile Persian Gulf.
To reach Sabah and Sarawak, a vessel or aircraft must navigate through foreign seas and airspace. Despite its size and large contribution to the national economy and security, planners tend to ignore challenges in the maritime sector, which is our lifeline. It is said that the next conflict in the region is likely to be at sea. The big powers are quarrelling over the South China Sea and the East China Sea. In our case, we have overlapping claims and unsettled maritime problems with Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and China. The unresolved maritime boundary disputes with the immediate neighbours could be the next flashpoint if we make no effort to nip them in the bud.
More than 80 per cent of pollution at sea comes from human activities on land. An ICZM governance mechanism can help coordinate the activities of coastal economic sectors for long-term optimal socio-economic outcomes. Malaysia has no proper map or chart for the maritime domain. The current map is outdated. Contrary to misconception, the 1979 map shows mainly the continental shelf boundaries which Indonesia agreed to in 1969, and in 1970 we agreed to delimit the territorial sea with Indonesia in the Straits of Malacca. The accuracy of this map has been challenged twice in the International Court of Justice.