By FASIHA KHUSHIRI & UMMI INTAN MASARRAH
KUCHING: Sarawak is set to strengthen its control and management of marine resources through the introduction of a Marine Cadastre roadmap spanning 2026 to 2028, aimed at supporting sustainable ocean governance and expanding the state’s blue economy sector.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, is expected to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating maritime boundaries, offshore development and marine spatial planning.
Director Datuk Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood said the system functions similarly to land cadastre administration but is tailored specifically for marine environments involving sea surfaces, water columns and seabeds.
“Marine Cadastre is an integrated system managing maritime boundaries, marine spatial data, marine records, as well as rights, restrictions and responsibilities across marine spaces,” he added.
He said this during the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Surveyor’s Congress 2026 in Petanak here today (May 7).
He explained that the initiative would strengthen governance over competing marine activities while helping Sarawak safeguard its maritime interests and natural resources more effectively.
According to Awang Zamhari, the roadmap includes nine implementation scopes focusing on improving administration, monitoring and planning of marine areas in a more coordinated and efficient manner.
The system will also support offshore Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), environmental conservation efforts and integrated marine development planning involving 3D and 4D spatial mapping technologies.
He said the roadmap complements Sarawak’s broader sustainability agenda under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, particularly the state’s ambitions to become a regional hub for green energy and blue economy development.
Awang Zamhari added that Sarawak officials are scheduled to visit Perth and Queensland in September for benchmarking exercises on more advanced Marine Cadastre systems.
“The 2026 to 2028 phase will focus on framework preparation, including legal aspects and implementation mechanisms. God-willing, in 2029 we will proceed with the full Marine Cadastre survey,” he stressed.
He also noted that Sarawak could emerge as one of Malaysia’s earliest adopters of Marine Cadastre due to its jurisdiction over land, shorelines and seabed matters under the Sarawak Land Code.
