Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority Act 1990, No. 440

By enacting the present Act, Malaysia has given effect to the Agreement on the Constitution and Other Matters Relating to the Establishment of the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority, which was signed on 30 May 1990 by the Government of Malaysia and the Kingdom of Thailand. The Act consists of thirteen Parts, as follows: (I) Preliminary; (II) Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority; (III) The Joint Development Area; (IV) Royalty; (V) Financial Provisions; (VI) The Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority Fund; (VII) Contract for Exploration and Exploitation; (VIII) Regulations; (IX) Officers and Jurisdiction of Courts; (X) Jurisdiction; (XI) Rights in Superjacent Waters; (XII) Offences and Penalties; (XIII) General.
The Joint Authority set up on the basis of the above-mentioned Agreement is vested with and assumes the exclusive rights, powers, liberties and privileges of exploring and exploiting the natural resources, in particular petroleum, in the Joint Development Area. The latter is constituted by the area bounded by straight lines joining the coordinated points referred to in Section 6. For the purposes of the Agreement, "natural resources” means any non-living natural resources including any minerals, mineral oils and metals. No business of exploration and exploitation of any natural resources, including petroleum, may be carried out in the Joint Development Area by any person other than the Joint Authority unless there is in respect of any such business a contract entered into between the Joint Authority and such person to explore and exploit such natural resources. The prior approval of both Governments is required for such contracts. The Joint Authority shall administer and control the special fund which is established by Section 9 hereto. Further provisions define offences and related penalties.