BOOK REVIEW: Malaysia’s Maritime Jurisdictional Limits (An Appraisal)By Vivian L. Forbes. Springer Nature Series, Stuttgart, Germany. Soft cover, pp. 419 with illustrations. US$149
By: B A Hamzah
This important volume by prolific author Vivian L. Forbes, a University of Western Australia professor, makes a timely and valuable contribution to the study of Malaysia’s maritime boundaries. Rich with detailed maps and accurate geographical data, the book offers clarity on an issue that lies at the heart of the nation’s sovereignty and maritime interests. It incorporates for the first time the published coordinates of Malaysia’s Territorial Sea basepoints since their deposition with the United Nations in August 2022 as required under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Although, the publication of the coordinates has clarified earlier concerns and uncertainties created by the hidden or inferred coordinates in past Malaysian maps. However, in some parts of the Strait of Malacca, for example, it will continue to show the area landward of the territorial sea baselines as internal waters (italic added). The widths of the internal two areas off the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia are respectively 100 nautical miles and 35 nautical miles from the baselines. It is rare for coastal states to claim such a vast expanse of sea frontage as internal waters. The author also takes issue with the “excessive length” of several straight baselines off the coast of Sarawak. Incidentally, Malaysia is not alone; other states in the region also have straight baselines whose lengths do not conform with state practice… This is a preview sent to free subscribers like you. The full content of this article is available exclusively to our paid subscribers. To enjoy the complete Asia Sentinel experience and access more in-depth, independent reporting, please consider subscribing for just US$10/month or US$100/year. Support independent journalism. Subscribe today. This is among the stories/excerpts we choose to make widely available.If you wish to get the full Asia Sentinel experience and access more exclusive content, please do subscribe to us for US$10/month or US$100/year.
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BOOK REVIEW: Malaysia’s Maritime Jurisdictional Limits (An Appraisal)
September 20, 2025
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