KUALA LUMPUR: A proposed hydrography act to give the National Hydrographic Centre (NHC) statutory backing remains under discussion.

Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain said the proposal was still in the pipeline, with the process ongoing.

"Hopefully, we can get it as soon as possible. However, the process must be respected," he said at a press conference after the launch of the Seabed 2030 programme.

The New Straits Times previously reported that NHC director-general Rear Admiral Dr Najhan Md Said said a dedicated act was needed to establish the centre as the sole national authority for official nautical charting, bathymetric data governance and maritime safety declarations.