Marine Cadastre for Sarawak: Legal Analysis for Sustainable Ocean Governance

Author : Fiq Schsyarenndy Asni

Abstract : Sarawak’s extensive marine resources offer significant blue economic potential but remain underutilized due to fragmented governance and inadequate legal mechanisms for securing marine rights. While comprehensive national framework for marine cadastre implementation in Malaysia has been proposed, its implementation at the state level remains largely unexplored. This paper provides a critical legal review assessing Sarawak’s readiness to adopt this national framework. Doctrinal analysis of state and federal statutes reveals a paradox: Sarawak possesses unique institutional advantages via its integrated Land and Survey Department (JTS), yet fundamental legal gaps hinder marine cadastre implementation. The Sarawak Land Code lacks provisions for marine parcel definition, creating jurisdictional ambiguities that obstruct sustainable ocean governance. The paper argues that legislative reform is essential not only for administrative efficiency but also for aligning Sarawak's marine governance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water). This study proposes targeted amendments and implementation pathways, offering a blueprint to position Sarawak as a model for decentralized, sustainable marine administration in Malaysia.

Keywords : Marine Cadastre, Legal Reform, Sarawak, SDG 14, Marine Governance, Stakeholder Analysis, Framework.

Conference Name : International Conference on Integrated Approaches to Science and Policy (ICIASP - 26)

Conference Place : Bruges, Belgium

Conference Date : 19th Feb 2026