A Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) researcher has been awarded a research grant from Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM), marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen its role in Antarctic governance and international policy engagement.

The researcher, Dr. Madzli Harun from the Faculty of Maritime Studies, said the grant will support a policy-driven research project that focuses on Antarctica as a strategic geopolitical and legal domain, rather than solely a site for scientific exploration.

Dr. Madzli described the award as an opportunity to expand Malaysia’s influence within the international Antarctic regime.

“Antarctica is often seen as a land without owners, inhabited only by scientists and penguins, but in reality, it is one of the most complex geopolitical laboratories in the world,” he said. “Behind its silence lies an international system that determines how global resources are managed, how climate change is monitored, and where countries like Malaysia stand in the global order.”

Malaysia has been actively involved in Antarctic research since 2011 through scientific expeditions and collaborations. However, the country currently holds Non-Consultative Party status under the Antarctic Treaty System, limiting its influence in high-level decision-making.

According to Dr. Madzli, this gap underscores the need for stronger policy and legal engagement.

“We have sent our scientists and contributed meaningfully to research, but our voice at the negotiating table remains limited,” he said. “Without translating scientific contributions into diplomatic leverage, Malaysia risks being sidelined in strategic decisions about Antarctica’s future.”

Through the foundation-funded study, Dr. Madzli aims to produce a comprehensive policy paper examining state liability, responsibility, and governance mechanisms within the Antarctic Treaty framework. The research is intended to support national institutions in strengthening Malaysia’s position at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).

“My objective is to ensure that science is supported by strong policy arguments,” he said. “This is essential if Malaysia is to pursue Consultative Party status and play a meaningful role in shaping Antarctic governance.”

Dr. Madzli’s work will draw on his extensive experience in international policy negotiations, including his involvement in Malaysia’s successful bid for full membership in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and his contribution to the D-8 Global Vision.

“Those experiences showed that Malaysia can succeed in global regimes when backed by clear legal and policy strategies,” he added.

The grant also highlights UMT’s growing role as a centre of excellence not only in tropical marine science, but also in strategic environmental policy and international governance. By supporting research that links science, policy, and diplomacy, UMT continues to enhance its contribution to national sustainability, coastal resilience, and Malaysia’s global standing.

By Wan Zulkifli Wan Kassim, Centre for Fundamental and Continuing Education