PETALING JAYA: What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to befall the Strait of Malacca, experts say.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Prof Dr Salawati Mat Basir said that the Strait of Malacca comes under the influence of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
As such, she said that governing the strait required a delicate balance between the sovereignty of the nations involved and the maritime transit rights of the rest of the shipping world.
“It is the most efficient shortest path between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and international law ensures it cannot be treated like a private road,” she added.
She said that both maritime and air passage through the strait cannot be suspended or prohibited under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
“Under Unclos, territorial states such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand are legally prohibited from impeding or suspending the passage of foreign ships or imposing tolls or taxes,” she added.
There also cannot be any discrimination against vessels based on their flag destination or cargo, she added.
“The Strait of Malacca handles nearly 21 million barrels of oil per day, which is about 20% of the global supply and also 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas.
“It also has a long detour around Indonesia but Hormuz is a dead end,” she said.
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