Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have worked together for more than 50 years to keep the Straits of Malacca and Singapore safe, despite unresolved maritime boundaries, Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said today at an event in Singapore's National Library Building [1, 2]. The straits, among the world's busiest waterways, carry nearly a quarter of global seaborne trade [3, 4, 1, 2].

In 2007, the three littoral states, along with user states and industry, established the Cooperative Mechanism to enhance navigational safety and protect the environment in the straits. Professor Tommy Koh, editor of the newly launched book The Straits of Malacca and Singapore: A Model For The World, described it as “the only strait in the world which has what is called a cooperative mechanism” [3, 4, 1].

The book, featuring editors including diplomat Tommy Koh and maritime law scholars Nilufer Oral, Robert Beckman, and Tara Davenport, explores legal, diplomatic, policymaking, and maritime sector perspectives. It aims to inform a broad audience including lawyers, diplomats, policymakers, and seamen [3, 4, 1, 2]. The book highlights the unique cooperation between the three littoral states and the countries that use the straits as a global model of maritime governance [3, 4, 1, 2].

Singapore has played a leadership role in the region’s maritime governance, contributing to diplomatic efforts on the UN Law of the Sea and innovations in navigation technology, according to Transport Minister Siow [2]. He stressed, "The only guarantee that the straits will remain open, safe and secure lies in the will of man, and the work of every generation of leaders" [1]. Siow also noted that despite differences in views on maritime boundaries, the three countries did not allow these to paralyse cooperation [2].

The book is published by World Scientific Publishing and is available in softcover for 27 SGD and hardcover for 45 SGD [1].

The launch today continues efforts to promote understanding and collaboration to maintain the strategic waterways’ safety and openness amid growing global trade.