Malaysia’s seafarers left in limbo as maritime jobs dry up: ‘I’ve not seen a single cent’

Fishing communities are losing sea access and income, while red tape prevents shipping crews from working freely in the country

Malaysian society’s relationship with the ocean has changed into one of fear, says a former navy officer, with states keener to reclaim land than rebuild the maritime sector

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Malaysian fishermen load freshly caught fish from a ship into plastic containers in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia’s Sabah state. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 9:30am, 21 May 2023Updated: 9:49am, 21 May 2023

Under the shade of palm fronds in the Sarawak plantation where he now works, Janting Anak Mujah says he misses the ocean breeze.

The last time the 37-year-old Malaysian was at sea was six months ago, working as a technician on board an oil-and-gas supply vessel off the coast of Sabah, a job that pays several times the average monthly wage on land.

“The skill set I have is for the ocean,” said Janting, a Mukah native with a decade at sea under his belt. “On land, there’s only manual labour for me.”

Holding more than 60 per cent of Malaysia’s proven petroleum reserves – or over 5.5 billion barrels – the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak have long provided job opportunities in the maritime sector servicing oilfields out in the South China Sea.

But those jobs are becoming harder and harder to find.

Surrounded by resource-rich waters, Malaysia has a long, proud maritime history. But it has waned recently as fishing communities lose sea access and incomes; red tape ties up where shipping crews can work; and the domestic shipping industry endures a crunch as exports remain soft.