In the lush, shaded environment of a Sarawak plantation, Janting Anak Mujah, a 37-year-old technician, reflects on his longing for the ocean breeze. His last job at sea was six months ago, working as a technician aboard an oil-and-gas supply vessel off Sabah’s coast—an employment opportunity that significantly outstrips the average monthly wage for onshore work. With over a decade of experience on the water, Janting, a Mukah native, recognizes that his skills are tailored for maritime tasks, stating, “On land, there’s only manual labour for me.”
Malaysia’s eastern states, particularly Sabah and Sarawak, are known for housing over 60% of the country’s proven petroleum reserves, boasting more than 5.5 billion barrels. Historically, these regions have provided ample job opportunities in the maritime sector, especially in servicing oilfields in the South China Sea. However, the landscape of maritime employment is undergoing significant changes, leading to increasing challenges for those like Janting who aspire to work at sea.
Despite Malaysia’s rich maritime history and access to resource-abundant waters, the situation for fishing communities and maritime workers has become precarious due to a variety of factors. Fishing communities are increasingly losing access to the sea, resulting in diminished income and livelihoods. Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles have emerged, complicating the conditions for shipping crews and further limiting job opportunities. The domestic shipping industry is also facing significant strain, exacerbated by soft export markets.
As the traditional maritime roles decline, the shift poses a dilemma for many skilled workers like Janting, who find themselves drawn to the sea yet increasingly sidelined by a combination of economic and structural challenges. The maritime sector’s contraction has not only impacted individual livelihoods but also threatens Malaysia’s broader maritime economy, long seen as a pillar of the nation’s resources and job creation.
In summary, Janting’s story is emblematic of a larger trend within Malaysia’s maritime sector, illustrating a growing disconnect between skilled labor and available employment opportunities. This shift reflects broader economic changes affecting both the fishing industry and the oil and gas sector, as Malaysia grapples with evolving labor dynamics in a historically vital industry.
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