The Strait of Malacca is considerably bordered by Malaysia and Indonesia while the Strait of Singapore is jointly shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Together, both Straits serve not only as two of the most important sea lines of communication in the world, but are important economic lifelines for the coastal population especially in the fisheries and tourism industries. The historical, environmental and socio-economic values of the Straits have resulted in some of the areas within the Straits have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, RAMSAR Sites and a UNESCO Geopark. Nevertheless, with the increasing shipping traffic in the future, it is feared that the marine environment of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore might be damaged. Focusing on issues pertaining to vessel-source of marine pollution, this article discusses the question on whether or not the Straits of Malacca and Singapore may potentially fit to be designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. This article concludes by discussing the possible legal and political consequences that may arise out of such a designation. � 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (LOSC) prescribes that ships and aircrafts may exercise the unimpeded right of transit passage when navigating or flying over straits used for international navigation. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore are largely categorised as straits that fall under this category. Consistently described as two of the most critical chokepoints in the world, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are accommodating increasing navigational traffic each year. This has caused difficulties to the littoral States in balancing heavy shipping activities with the protection of the marine environment of these critical straits. This article hence analyse the legal and political implications should the littoral States of the Strait of Malacca, namely Malaysia and Indonesia retract their 12 nautical miles territorial sea claim in the Strait of Malacca to 3 nautical miles, leaving exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or high seas corridor spanning across the Strait, nullifying the application of transit passage regime. At the moment, Japan and South Korea have decided not to extend their territorial claims over the Korea Strait from 3 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles territorial sea limit. As such, this article conducts a specific case study by looking at the arising circumstances should Malaysia and Indonesia follow the Korea Strait approach. This article concludes on whether or not this proposed measure may a viable method to increase the regulatory powers of the littoral States in regulating shipping through the Strait of Malacca. � 2013 Elsevier Ltd.