Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has set up a new research center called the Center for the Straits of Malacca (CSOM)in a bid to integrate research studies on the busy international seaway.
The new policy research center was set up by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) to conduct inter-disciplinary policy research on the Malacca Straits.
The establishment of CSM is a step towards integrating various perceptions and priorities of stakeholders and users of the Straits into comprehensive, functional whole to enable the Straits to be used without conflict and in a sustainable manner, according to MIMA.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will officially launch the center here on Oct. 21, it added.
MIMA is an independent policy research institute set up by the Malaysian government to conduct research on national, regional and international maritime matters affecting Malaysia`s interest.
It aims to contribute to meaningful, comprehensive and cogent national maritime policy for the country, MIMA said.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com (October 08, 2008)