{
  "id": 15697098,
  "title": "Proposed law to strengthen National Hydrographic Centre still in the works",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/proposed-law-to-strengthen-national-hydrographic-centre-still-in-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T03:40:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1559531/proposed-law-strengthen-national-hydrographic-centre-still-works"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed hydrography act to grant statutory authority to the National Hydrographic Centre (NHC) is still under development, according to Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain. The ongoing process was discussed at a press conference following the unveiling of the Seabed 2030 programme. While a desire exists to expedite the proposal, its implementation must be handled with due diligence, Ithnain emphasized. The New Straits Times had earlier reported that NHC director-general Rear Admiral Dr Najhan Md Said advocated for the creation of a dedicated law to elevate the centre as Malaysia's exclusive national authority for official nautical charting, bathymetric data management, and maritime safety declarations. This proposed legislation would supplant a 1972 cabinet memorandum that presently functions as the administrative foundation for the NHC, a body that has represented Malaysia within the International Hydrographic Organisation since 1975. According to Najhan, the memorandum could be amended or annulled by the cabinet, leaving the centre without a legally binding framework to bolster its institutional stature and operational proficiency. He further explained that the proposed legislation would furnish the NHC with official recognition, enhance decision-making capacities, and ensure enduring financial predictability. National assessments, including the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Batu Puteh, had likewise advocated for the enactment of a national hydrography act to replace the existing administrative structure, he added. Under the proposed plan, the NHC would function as an autonomous department under the Defence Ministry, reporting directly to the defence minister, while its operational staff would remain recruited from the Royal Malaysian Navy.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: A proposed hydrography act to give the National Hydrographic Centre (NHC) statutory backing remains under discussion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}