Malaysia re-elected to maritime council

LONDON: Malaysia has not only managed to retain its seat during the re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council under Category C, but also won a record number of votes with 142 out of 165 votes from member countries.

With this, Malaysia has retained its seat on the IMO Council for the eighth consecutive term with a higher vote tally, earning one of the top three spots.

Category C comprised 20 countries, which had special interests in maritime transport or navigation, and whose election to the council was to ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

The result of the voting on the last day of IMO 31st General Assembly, though, was not totally unexpected for Malaysia, given its track record and performance as a council member since 2006.

However, the increase in the number of votes on the last day, which reflected the overwhelming support of other member countries, was the highest since it became a council member.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke who led a 30-strong delegation comprising officers from the ministry, Naval Department and port authorities, as well as players in the nation’s maritime industry, considered the re-election a mandate for Malaysia to carry out its responsibilities to developing nations that looked up to Malaysia as a role model.

“Malaysia’s win to be re-elected is historic because we have received a record number of votes.

“We received 142 votes, which means 142 countries from the world supported Malaysia.

“With a record number of votes, Malaysia is placed in the top three and this in itself is history in the making,” said Loke after the results were read out by IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim.

He said Malaysia must continue to support and contribute to developing nations.

“The support is not seasonal to be given only during an election”, he said, adding that Malaysia would continue playing its role giving input and technical cooperation.

To be put in the top three, Loke believed that Malaysia as a maritime country had the capabilities to compete with the best.