KOTA KINABALU: The Council of the Justices of the Peace Sabah (Majaps) have backed a call to both the Education Ministry and the State Authorities to set up a Law Department at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) specialising in International Maritime Law or the Law of The Sea Faculty.
Its president Datuk Seri Clarence B. Malakun said this was agreed upon during the council's full exco meeting held here on Tuesday.
"Majaps will also submit a memorandum to both the federal and state governments to request for the setting up of the Law Faculty in UMS," he said in a statement.
Clarence explained that International Maritime Law, commonly referred to as the Law of the Sea, encompasses the rules, conventions, and treaties governing international waters.
"This extensive body of legal frameworks addresses nautical issues and oversees maritime organisations, ensuring orderly and regulated maritime activities.
"In Malaysia, the Marine Department, under the auspices of the Transport Ministry, oversees Maritime Law. It ensures that all maritime business and transport activities within Malaysian territorial waters adhere to established regulations," he said.
Clarence highlighted some of the core pillars of international maritime organisations including the Safety of Life at Sea Convention which focuses on ensuring maritime safety; the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships which aims to minimise marine pollution; the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention to ensures high-quality training and certification for maritime professionals; and the Maritime Labour Convention which establishes rights and protections for maritime workers.
He also emphasised the significance of establishing the International Maritime Law or the Law of The Sea Faculty at UMS to Malaysia, particularly Sabah.
This includes promoting responsible maritime conduct, enhancing national economic interests, clarifying the maritime freedoms of nations, and fostering international cooperation.
It would also establish safety regulations for maritime nations, ensuring secure seas, defining the maritime boundaries of sovereign states and protecting national interests.
Clarence said since 2018, there has been a call for the introduction of a Law programme at UMS.
"Establishing a Law Department would allow Sabah residents to pursue legal studies within their state.
"It also offers legal professionals a platform to share their expertise as well as generate employment for law educators and create opportunities for graduates," he added.
He noted that presently, only Universiti Teknologi MARA and the International Islamic University Malaysia offered this specialisation.
He said the specialisation would prepare graduates to safeguard the sovereignty of Malaysia's islands and maritime territories.
He said UMS would be pioneering this programme in Borneo, enhancing its educational leadership in the region.
The programme has the potential to attract students from neighboring Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesia, promoting regional academic collaboration.
"If it comes into reality, will not only enrich UMS's academic offerings but also significantly contribute to Malaysia's maritime legal expertise, particularly benefiting Sabah's strategic geographical position," he said.