JAPAN, 9 FEB 2026- MALAYSIA’S ACTIVE ROLE IN ADVANCING REGIONAL HYDROGRAPHY IN EAST ASIA.
EAHC Special Conference, 15th TRDC Board of Directors, 17th MSS-ENC Steering Committee & S-100 Technical Working Group
2–7 February 2026 | Tokyo, Japan
Malaysia, through the National Hydrographic Centre (NHC) of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), participated actively in a series of high-level regional hydrographic engagements in Tokyo, Japan. These included the East Asia Hydrographic Commission (EAHC) Special Conference, the 15th Training, Research and Development Centre (TRDC) Board of Directors, the Technical Working Group on S-100, and the 17th Malacca and Singapore Straits Electronic Navigational Chart (MSS-ENC) Steering Committee. The Malaysian delegation was led by Honourable Rear Admiral Dr Najhan bin Md Said, Chief Hydrographer, demonstrating Malaysia's commitment to regional hydrographic cooperation, capacity building, and the advancement of safe navigation across East Asia. During the EAHC Special Conference, Malaysia as Chair of the Statutes Review Working Group, presented proposed amendments to the EAHC Statutes, reflecting the country's active leadership in strengthening the Commission's governance framework. Malaysia also participated fully in plenary discussions and acknowledged the leadership transition from Indonesia to China, with the Republic of Korea assuming the Vice Chairmanship for the next three-year term. The 15th TRDC Board of Directors meeting provided a platform for Malaysia to share updates on national and regional hydrographic training initiatives, propose enhancements to capacity building programmes, and endorse collaborative efforts for 2026. These discussions strengthened strategic links between member states in developing technical expertise and operational excellence. In the MSS-ENC Steering Committee and S-100 Technical Working Group meetings, Malaysia, as the outgoing MSS-ENC Coordinator, chaired the sessions before formally handing over the role to Singapore for 2026–2027. These meetings focused on enhancing cooperation among the littoral states of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with Japan acting as the Administrator. Deliberations addressed electronic navigational chart coordination, adoption of S-100 standards and interoperability improvements to support safe and efficient navigation in the Malacca and Singapore Straits. Malaysia's active engagement underscores the country's strategic role in advancing hydrography, reinforcing regional maritime safety and promoting sustainable management of the seas. Participation by the NHC highlights Malaysia's continued commitment to international hydrographic collaboration, operational excellence, and regional leadership.
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