“I’m a fervent supporter of the cabotage policy, but exemptions can be given on a case-by-case basis so that we will not stop expertise from doing the work we do not have the capabilities in. “Most countries, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines, do not allow foreign ships to work on their coastlines and exclusive economic zones. Stressing the issue of national maritime security, Halim said the country could not just allow any foreign ships to enter Malaysian waters under the pretext of cable repairs. The cabotage policy for cable repair works was revoked by the former Pakatan Harapan government in April 2019. The cabotage policy was first introduced in Malaysia in January 1980.

Source: The Star April 17, 2021 01:08 UTC