Malaysia re-elected to IMO council for 7th time

LONDON: Malaysia has been reelected to the council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under Category C for the 2018-2019 term.

It is the seventh consecutive term for Malaysia, since its first election in 2006 in a battle between 24 countries for 20 seats.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who led a 39strong team from the ministry and other agencies, attended the IMO General Assembly, held once every two years, during which the voting for members takes place at the IMO headquarters here.

Malaysia received 131 votes from 24 countries in what was seen as a stiff competition among competing members in Category C. It was the biggest number of votes, and this has fuelled confidence among Malaysian delegates, who had worked hard in the past two years to gain support and win allies.

“We have been in the IMO Council since 2006, and I am confident that the time has come for Malaysia to play an important role in IMO, not only from the aspects of maritime safety and technical training,” Liow said, referring to the logistis sector.

He urged the maritime sector to champion industrial logistics.

Liow, who was accompanied by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim, as well as senior officials from the ministry and agencies, said the reelection was a recognition of Malaysia’s commitment and contributions.

Not only has Malaysia emphasised the importance of human capital development in Africa, Latin America and other countries, it has contributed financially to the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, and the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta for the upgrade of student facilities.

As a council member, Malaysia will continue to stress the importance of human capital development in developing countries to ensure that IMO member countries carry out their obligations and apply IMO conventions.

Although the Malaysian delegation was confident of being reelected, it said the competition was tough.

“For the last two years after the re-election, we worked hard and

fostered good relations with other countries and helped many countries. We have strong support from IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim. They (IMO) are confident in Malaysia’s leadership, which has taken Malaysia to greater heights and on a par with other maritime countries,” Liow said. By Zaharah Othman