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KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The decision to revoke the cabotage exemption for foreign-flagged vessels that repair submarine cables does not prevent the employment of foreign vessels, says the Malaysian Shipowners Association (Masa).
Its president Datuk Abdul Hak Md Amin (Photo) said it mainly means helping and enabling Malaysian companies to bring cables and technology home to help and boost the local industry, as well as to stop the unnecessary outflow of foreign exchange.
He said the latest move by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong was important in building and developing the local industry as Malaysian companies have the experience and ability to provide security and protection to strategic assets. in the waters of the country.
“This is what we are trying to promote. Masa wants to protect digital accessibility in Malaysia with local technical know-how to repair cable and without being 100% dependent on foreign companies. Foreign cables can still work in Malaysian waters, but they must comply with the national shipping license exemption processes, “he said.
The cabotage exemption for foreign vessels repairing submarine cables was granted by former Transport Minister Anthony Loke and requested by telecommunications companies such as TIME dotCom Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd.
It is supported by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia and aims to accelerate maintenance work as required.
The Transport Ministry has confirmed that it received memoranda from tech giants, namely Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Malaysia Internet Exchange alleging that Dr. Wee’s decision would hamper Malaysia’s internet infrastructure and they had turned to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to intervene.
Hak emphasized that the revocation was the correct measure as Malaysia’s neighboring countries had applied the cabotage policy very strictly for their long-term benefits.
“If the telcos feel that the development of Malaysians is not important, then let’s open everything. Why is it necessary to have local companies like Maxis, TIME or Celcom? Why don’t they allow Singtel, Telkomtelstra, AT&T and the like come in? “he said.
He said that claims by certain parties that a cut cable could disable the nation’s data system are unsubstantiated, as during a previous cable outage Malaysia did not experience data shutdown.
“There are a total of 19 submarine cables with two new cables in the works, so when one cable is cut, the traffic is diverted.
“There are two maintenance authorities in this region: the Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean Cable Maintenance Agreement and the Asia Pacific Marine Maintenance Service Agreement. Masa encourages competition between them and at the same time encourages its members to carry their cable vessels to flag in Malaysia, “he said. said.
He said that Masa supports the national cabotage policy, “which should be fully implemented and not exempting certain areas where in fact the previous exemption only excluded the cable system that landed in Malaysia but not the cable systems in transit.”
“There are between 10,000 and 15,000 km of national and international cables connecting Malaysia. So much so that we need more local cable ships to support these cables,” he added.- Bernama
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