Energy Security in Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone: Its Implications on Maritime Security

Energy security is becoming a major concern because of many factors; rapid industrialization of many regional states; increasing energy demand by the Northeast Asia countries and India, and possible intervention by the extra-regional powers to maintain stability in the South China Sea (SCS). Major portions of the Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) lies in the SCS which is rich in resources such as oil and gas. Malaysia equally shares the need for stability and
cooperation to combat maritime criminals in its EEZ, the fact that regional energy security in the SCS has the following implications: maritime security policy in the
strategic sea lanes; security of source of energy; mode of transportation; concept of maritime defence and enforcement.