Friday November 27, 2009
Malaysia hailed as one of council’s renowned member
LONDON: International Maritime Organisation (IMO)’s newly-elected president Georg Boomgaarden has hailed Malaysia as one of the organisation’s cornerstones.
He said Malaysia was an active and renowned member which had shown a lot of engagements, including in anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Eden, off Somalia.
Boomgaarden said the past years had seen positive contributions from Malaysia to all the committees’ discussions, particularly important meetings on environmental issues.
He said the IMO was currently discussing ship emissions which was still a major concern although it might only be 3% of worldwide emissions.
“As we know, on the high sea, ships from all nations are there without any borders.
“So, Malaysia is taking part in keeping this free high sea,” he said at a reception for IMO delegates at the Malaysian High Commission on Wednesday.
IMO secretary-general Efthimios E. Mitropoulos commended Malaysia and said it had played its role in the body’s efforts to enhance maritime safety, efficient ship navigation, security and environmental protection.
“Malaysia’s contributions, especially in keeping the Straits of Malacca free of unlawful acts, is very much appreciated by the community,” he said.
He said he would be pleased to see Malaysia being re-elected to the council given its track record.
Meanwhile, several Asean countries such as Cambodia and Brunei have joined others as diverse as Papua New Guinea, Djibouti, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Italy and Uruguay in declaring their support for Malaysia.
Cambodian Public Works and Transport Ministry’s Under-Secretary of State Leng Thun Yuthea said: “We’re backing Malaysia in the Asean spirit and also in view of our good relationship.”
“Of course, Malaysia will get our vote as we’re neighbours and brothers,” Brunei marine director Omar Sirat said. Omar added that Malaysia had performed well not just in anti-piracy efforts but also in tackling oil spills as well as air and sea pollutants.
Among the others who pledged to give their votes to Malaysia were Papua New Guinea’s Acting High Commissioner to Britain Cephas Kayo, Kazakhstan’s first secretary Nurlan Khassen, Italy’s maritime attaché Rear Admiral Giancarlo Olimbo and Uruguay’s Alternate Permanent Representative to IMO Captain Miguel Fleitas.
Admiral Giancarlo Olimbo said they had an agreement with Malaysia where both countries would support each other’s bid for Category A and C respectively.
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