Melaka: The head of a waste management consultancy has warned that Malaysia must impose a stricter maritime waste management system to protect the Strait of Melaka from environmental pollution, as shipping traffic is set to increase significantly through the passageway. This is in view of the potential increase in oil spills as more vessels are redirected through the strait to avoid the conflict-stricken Strait of Hormuz, said Dr. Nur Zulaikha Yusof, head of sustainability and strategic planning at Hexagon Synergy Group. She emphasized the need for coordination between Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, which share the Strait of Melaka waterway, to ensure effective enforcement. According to BERNAMA News Agency, vessel volume is projected to increase by between 10 and 20 percent as more shippers seek an alternative route between Europe and Asia. This raises the likelihood of increased oil spills and other incidents, potentially exposing the strait to greater environmental danger, adversely affecting the mari ne ecosystem and the livelihood of fishermen. Dr. Nur Zulaikha highlighted that between 2014 and 2022, there were an alarming 130 oil spills along the Strait of Melaka. She argued that accommodating more redirected vessels makes the Strait of Melaka increasingly vulnerable. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recently identified 39 cases of illegal bilge discharge and unauthorized ship-to-ship transfers between 2021 and April 2026, often involving foreign-flagged vessels. These incidents underscore the heavy utilization and growing vulnerability of the strait. The geography of the area magnifies risk as dense traffic funnels through narrow channels, often in proximity to coastlines and fishing grounds. The environmental stakes are high, potentially disrupting fisheries and the livelihood of fishermen who depend on a clean and stable marine ecosystem. New forms of pollution are also entering the equation. A 2021 study by the International Council on Clean Transportation identified the Melaka Str ait as one of the world's largest scrubber washwater hotspots, with more than 180 million tonnes discharged annually. Scrubber washwater is the contaminated water byproduct generated by marine exhaust gas cleaning systems. While Malaysia has banned open-loop scrubber discharge within port limits, enforcement beyond those boundaries remains difficult, allowing pollutants to accumulate in adjacent sea lanes. Dr. Nur Zulaikha also stated that any sustained disruption in the Gulf, whether in the Strait of Hormuz or the Red Sea, will push more traffic through Southeast Asia. Scenario assessments suggest vessel volumes could rise by 10-20 percent. This increase compounds pressure on already strained systems such as ports, anchorages, and critically, waste management infrastructure. She noted the challenges in Malaysia's ship-generated waste management system, which relies heavily on Department of Environment-licensed contractors. These contractors face limitations in operational scope, permissible volumes, and was te types, leading to delays and bottlenecks. Dr. Nur Zulaikha called for stronger governance and regional coordination, emphasizing that enforcement must move from reactive to preventive, supported by better surveillance and consistent prosecution. Port reception facilities need to be expanded, standardized, and priced to encourage use rather than avoidance. Regulation must keep pace with emerging pollutants like scrubber discharge, ideally in alignment with regional partners, as this is not a problem Malaysia can solve alone. Coordination in monitoring, enforcement, and standards is essential, as pollution does not recognize maritime boundaries. Malaysia is approaching a strategic inflection point whereby increased traffic through the strait could strengthen its position as a maritime hub. However, without the right safeguards, it could erode environmental integrity and regulatory credibility.