LANGKAWI: The Malaysia Maritime Conference 2025 (MMC 25), held today at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), brought together policymakers, defence officials, academics and industry leaders to explore forward-looking governance frameworks for a prosperous maritime future.
Co-organised by the Royal Malaysian Navy and Global Exhibition & Conference Sdn. Bhd., MMC 25 was officiated by Defence Minister YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin and witnessed by the Chief of Navy, Admiral Datuk (Dr.) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, along with 250 invited delegates.
First launched in 2019 as the National Maritime Conference, the event has since evolved into an internationally attended platform, reflecting Malaysia’s growing maritime aspirations and its role in shaping regional maritime discourse.
This year’s theme, “Synergising Good Governance Through Effective Policy for Maritime Prosperity”, focused on two core areas: Harnessing the Blue Economy and Charting Maritime Policy.
In his opening remarks, the Defence Minister emphasised the strategic importance of the conference, calling it “a crucial platform for exchanging ideas, fostering partnership and refining policies to propel Malaysia forward as a prosperous maritime nation.”
The first session explored strategies to unlock the potential of Malaysia’s blue economy while balancing sustainable development and environmental protection. Speakers included Rear Admiral Dato’ Pahlawan Mohd Fadzil Kamal (Royal Malaysian Navy), Mr. Handan Ramli (PETRONAS), Dr. Do Thanh Hai (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam), and Dr. Young Kil Park (Korean Maritime Institute), moderated by Datin Paduka Dr. Adina Kamarudin from Malaysia’s Maritime Affairs Department.
The second session, Charting Maritime Policy, addressed the complexities of maritime governance, offering policy insights and lessons from around the region. Key panellists included Professor Stuart Kaye (University of Wollongong), Air Vice Marshall Dr. Jorry S. Koloay (Indonesian Defence Forces), Professor Atsuko Kanehara (Canon Institute for Global Studies), and Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmed Saeed (National Institute of Maritime Affairs, Pakistan), moderated by First Admiral Mohd Yusri bin Yusoff (Royal Malaysian Navy).
As Malaysia continues to position itself as a maritime leader in Southeast Asia, MMC 25 reinforced the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, regional cooperation, and policy innovation in ensuring long-term maritime prosperity.
