Forming a ASEAN Marine Tourism Council
and a
Malaysian Marine Industry Association (MIA)

As a result of the 2004 Yangon to Manila Bay Symposium were Marine Tourism activities took center stage, the Malaysian Tourism Ministery is now promoting the region as a new playground for cruise liners, mega yacht berthing and sailing pursuits in general. An initiative taken by Bpk Feisol Hashim - Chairman of GAHAWISRI the "Indonesian Marine Tourism Association" to create a Yahoo forum for regional Marine Tourism players has resulted in some spirited online discussion and a interactive exchange of ideas on the merits of forming a ASEAN Marine Tourism Council (AMTC). Interested parties can join in or browse the comments at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASEANMarineTourismCouncil/

The next ASEAN Marine Tourism Symposium will be held on 14-17 June 2007 at the Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. (2007 being Visit Malaysia Year) a stunning waterfront venue in the Malaysian Borneo state of Sabah, itself a world-acclaimed marine and eco-tourism destination. The main aim is to promote the ASEAN region as the new cruising playground to the world and the key objective of the 2006 Symposium will be the formation of the ASEAN Marine Tourism Council which will become the umbrella body of the organisations involved in marine tourism in the region. This platform is for marine tourism operators and marketers as well as governments and statutory bodies to meet in order to enhance the growth of marine tourism with a regulated and coordinated approach. The conference proper will take place 15 & 16 June. There'll be an cocktail reception on evening of 14 June. 17 June is coincidentally the Annual Sabah Dragon Boat Race, with teams competing from around the region. Do visit the website for more details. http://www.aseanmarinetourism-symposium.net/ On a trip from Yangon to Manila Bay about 2/3rds of the coastline is Malaysian, stretching from Langkawi, Penang, Lumut, Port Klang down the Malacca Straits to Singapore and Sebana Cove in Johor, all the way across to Miri (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) in East Malaysia with little Brunei wedged in-between.

After putting together our Miri Magic program, several problems have come up that could be considered serious issues affecting the Malaysian Marine Tourism industry.

1. Legally registering a roadworthy small boat trailer in Malaysia. They are treated like big truck trailers where certified JPJ drawings have to be produced, certified JPJ manufacturers have to build the trailer, hydraulic, air or mechanical brakes have to be fitted and a lengthy Pustacom inspection and final JPJ approval requires many under the table payments to finally get legally registered. It has taken us about six months of work not to mention over MR10k to complete the task properly. Perhaps that is why most small trailers are not registered and are illegally towed around the countryside without insurance etc. If you approach the JPJ counter staff they reply with "Don't need Lah!" and it is only when you go upstairs to the bosses when the proper procedure is revealed. There is a whole array of people making a living out of all this mainly on big truck trailers that found our small boat trailer a first for them and quite unique as there is no return on the huge investment required.

2. Although there is no duty when importing a complete boat into Malaysia there is a 10% customs import duty and around 5% excise on boat parts and pieces. If for example DK Yachts build a boat for a Malaysian customer (excluding the Malaysian Navy) to keep the boat in Malaysia the 10% customs duty and 5% excise duty on the whole cost of the boat will be applied. As we are looking at building the Miri Magic in Malaysia, this will have to be added onto the cost for any Malaysian's interested in buying and keeping the boat in Malaysia. Another alternative is to physically export the boat to Singapore, Labuan or Langkawi to avoid the taxes but incur the full costs of doing so before returning for use on the mainland. All this hassle results in extra costs and may result in building the boats in another country and tremendously affecting the growth of the marine industry in Malaysia.

3. Several marinas built in Kedah, Langkawi, Penang, and Maur have already incurred heavy silting were the boats can't be parked anymore and huge dredging costs to fix the problem. This maybe caused by building in the wrong place or not taking the consultants full advice when building them in the first place. There is big money involved with the design, building and placement of these marinas and not much concern shown after the task has been completed for the end users. This is a big worry for the government and giving the marine industry a bad name before it really gets going. If the government goes ahead with several east coast marinas in Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan there should be proper design measures taken not to repeat the same problems.

4. Financing on boats. This has already been discussed at length but no solution as yet been found. After the financial collapse in 1997 financial institutions have closed the doors on financing boats. This has reduced boat buying and severely affects the growth of the industry as a whole. Surely with proper checks and control over interested buyers financial standings some bank (semi government of foreign) can be given approval to give loans to bonefide clients. If we are to fill up all the marinas around the countryside and introduce some boating activities in Malaysia overcoming this problem could be of prime importance.

List of associated Marine Industry and Tourism players that could be members of a Malaysian Marine Industry Association (MIA) and a ASEAN Marine Tourism Council

An attempt to list all the Marine Industry players in Malaysia and Brunei which could be likely members of a Malaysian marine industry association (MIA) and the Malaysian Marine Tourism Council can be found below. Please take a minute to look if there are any that I have missed or other categories that should be included and send any new inclusions to info@asianyachting.com so a full directory can be completed.

Malaysia - Government Departments involved
Prime Ministers Department
Minister of Transport - Y. B. Dato' Sri Chan Kong Choy
Tourism Minister - Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad
Sports Minister - Y.B. Datuk Azalina Dato' Othman Said
Industry Minister - Y.B. Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz
Education Department
Marine Department Malaysia - Pt Klang
Royal Customs & Excise Department
National Sports Council of Malaysia

National Orgs, State Associations, Yacht Clubs and Regattas
MIMA - Maritime Institute of Malaysia - Commercial craft
Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents
AMIM - Assoc of Marine Industries of Malaysia
International Sailing Federation (ISAF) - World Governing Body
Malaysian Yachting Association
Johor Sailing Association
Kedah Sailing Association
Kinabalu Yacht Club
Kuala Lumpur Sailing Association
Lumut International Yacht Club
Melaka Sailing Association
Miri Marina - Sarawak - Borneo Perpetual Cup
Negeri Sembilan Sailing Association
Pahang Sailing Association
Penang Sailing Association
Perak Yacht Club
Persatuan Perahu Layar NS
Piasau Boat Club - Sarawak
Racing Yacht Club - Pt Dickson - Asean Regatta
Royal Langkawi Yacht Club - BMW Royal Langkawi Int Regatta
Royal Malaysian Navy Yacht Club
Royal Port Dickson Yacht Club
Royal Selangor Yacht Club - Raja Muda Int. Regatta
Sandakan Yacht Club
Sabah Sailing Association
Sarawak Sailing Association
Tawau Yacht Club

Annual Boat Show
Langkawi International Boat Exhibition (LIBEX) 24 to 27 Nov, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Mediterranean-style Telaga Harbour Park
Malaysia Internatonal Boat Show (MIBS) and Workboat South East Asia, Admiral Marina, Pt Dickson

Marinas and Pleasure Yacht berthing facilities
Royal Langkawi Yacht Club
Rebak Marina Resort, Langkawi
Telaga Harbour - Langkawi
Awana Resort & Marina - Langkawi
Kuala Kedah Marina
Penang City Marina (Opening soon)
Batu Uban Marina, Penang
Batu Muang Marina, Penang
Lumut International Yacht Club
Pasir Bogak Anchorage, Pangkor
Pangkor Laut Marina
Royal Selangor Yacht Club, Pt Klang
Admiral Marina, Pt Dickson
PD World Marina - Pt Dickson
Maur Marina, Johor (Soon to be completed)
Sebana Cove Marina, Johor
Johor Baru anchorage
Miri Marina, Sarawak
Sutera Harbour Marina, Sabah
Kudat Marina, Sabah

Boat builders and repairers
DNSS Boatbuilders - Miri
Limbongan Batu Maung - Penang
Kimcraft - Teluk Intan, Perak
Destination Marine Services - Pt Klang
Fadara Yacht - Pt Klang
Nautical Alternatives - Pt Dickson
Explorer Marine - Malacca
Dian Kreatif (DK Yachts), Malacca
Traditional boat builders of Terengannu
Various Boat Repairers, Dindings River, Lumut

Accredited Training Scheme and facilities
Akademi Laut Malaysia - Commercial Certificates, Malacca
SASTRA MARITIME ACADEMY Sibu, Sarawak and Labuan
Sunsail - RYA - Phuket and Langkawi
Asian Yachtmasters - Pt Dickson HQ
Royal Selangor Yacht Club - Learn to Sail (Coming soon)
Aseanarean Yachting Academy - Penang
HRA Consulting Services - Teambuilding - Pt Dickson

Material Suppliers and Services
Explorer Marine Centre - KL
International Paints - Langkawi
Wonder Craft - Langkawi
Simrad Electronics - Singapore
Trinity Navigation - Pt Klang
Hazuwa Marine Services - Pt Klang
Fairway Marine Surveyor Services - Klang
Penn-Marine Chandlery - Penang, KL & Pt Dickson
ACes Satellite Communications - SE Asia
Cordage Industrial Rope - Seremban
Quantum Sails - Malacca
Brookes and Gatehouse Instruments - Malacca
Jotun Paints
Microsphere fillers
Fibreglass and epoxy resin suppliers
Carbon Fibre and Kevlar cloth manufacturers
DK Yachts - Malacca
Nippon Paints
Main Gallery - Trophies KL
Outboard and Inboard engine suppliers like Mercruiser, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Yanmar, Perkins and Volvo diesels etc
MTU Services (M) Sdn Bhd
Tractors Malaysia (1982) S/B

Brokerages and Boat sales
Simpson Marine - Langkawi, Pt Dickson, Sabah and Sarawak
Penn Marine - KL, Pt Dickson
Sunseeker - Penang
AsianYachting online - Pt Dickson
Dawn Enterprise - KL
Dawn Aqua - KL/Ipoh
Pippen Marine - Langkawi
Zeta Marine - Langkawi
Lee Marine - Phuket & Langkawi
HowisonMarine.com - Sing, HK, Langkawi

Charter Yachts
Sunsail Asia - Langkawi
Euroam - Pt Klang
THAI Marine Leisure - Phuket & Langkawi
Skiff Asia Co - off the beach dinghy classes
Touchdown Luxury Yacht Charters - Sabah

Haul-Out facilities
WaveMaster Langkawi
Rebak Marina Resort, Langkawi
Limbongan Batu Muang, Penang
Dindings River, Lumut slipways and boat builders
Teluk Intan, Perak River slipways and boat builders
Royal Selangor Yacht Club - Pt Klang
Pen Marine Batu Muang, Penang
Muhibbah Shipyard, Port Klang
Marine Dept - Pt Klang
Admiral Marina, Pt Dickson
Miri Marina, Sarawak
Kudat Shipyard, Sabah
Kuala Penyu - Sabah

Media Services
New Straits Times
Star Publications
Bernama
TV3
SEN Network
Tourism Malaysia and State departments
Malaysia Internatonal Boat Show (MIBS) Admiral Marina, Pt Dickson
AsianYachting Ventures - Internet
Asia-Pacific Boating (KL Office)
Nautical Chronicles, Penang
Sail-World Asia Edition - Internet
Boating OZ - Internet, Australia
International Sailing Federation (ISAF) website - World Body
Siam MARINE - Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore

Commercial Shipping and Marina Construction
Marina Solutions Asia - Marina Consultants, Penang
Maju Holdings - Marina Construction, Maur
Bellingham Marine, Kuala Lumpur
P & O Cruise Lines - Singapore
Star Cruises - Pt Klang, Langkawi
Penang Port
Penang Shipbuilding & Construction
PSC - Naval Dockyard, Lumut
American Bureau of Shipping (M) Sdn Bhd
Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (M) Bhd
Muhibbah Marine Engineering - Pt Klang
NMB Dockyard - Pt Klang
Westport - Pt Klang
Northport – Port Klang
Seacon Shipping - Pt Klang

Supporting Hotel/Resort Islands to date
City Bayview - Langkawi, Penang
Rebak Marina Resort, Langkawi
Awana Resort - Langkawi
Sheraton Perdana Resort, Langkawi
E & O Hotel - Penang
Pangkor Laut Resort - Pangkor
Seaview Resort - Pangkor
Crystal Crown Hotel - Port Klang
Tanjong Tuan Resort - Pt Dickson
The Regency - Pt Dickson
Sebana Cove Resort, Johor
Rawa Safaries - Pulau Rawa, Johor
Park City Everly Hotel - Miri, Sarawak
Waterfront - Labuan
Sutera Harbour Marina Golf & Country Club - Sabah
Kudat Marina & Golf Resort, Sabah

State Tourism Departments that may get involved
Langkawi (Kedah), Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, N.S., Malacca, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

Brunei Darussalam

National Orgs, State Associations, Yacht Clubs and Regattas
Brunei Darussalam Yachting Association
Royal Brunei Yacht Club - Serasa (Muara Port) and Kota Batu (Bandar Seri Begawan) clubhouses
Kuala Belait Boat Club - Kuala Belait clubhouse

Yacht Charter
Intrepid Yachting

Accredited Training Scheme and facilities
Intrepid Yachting - AYF

Haul-out facilities
AT&S Sdn Bhd (Shipyard Division) – Muara port/Bandar Seri Begawan
Nautica - Kuala Belait

Media Services
Borneo Bulletin

Tourism Department
Brunei Tourism

Communication Services
Brunei Bay Radio – HF radio e-mail and voice services for recreational users in SE Asia, NW Pacific, central and eastern Indian Ocean. Daily SE Asian regional marine weather and MSI warning broadcasts. Low cost HF radio e-mail services – SailMail (simple e-mail with world network) and ShipMail (e-mail and attachments with SE Asia/NW Pacific/Indian Ocean coverage).

AsianYachting Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Co. No. 627106-T)
A 308 PD Perdana Condo Resort, Jln Pantai, 71050, Pt Dickson, Malaysia
Tel: 6 06 6477701 Email: info@asianyachting.com
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Yachting at http://AsianYachting.com