MV Malaysia Star’s legal representative, Jeremy M Joseph, said the session, subject to venue capacity, will provide clarity on the maritime law provisions that have delayed the release of the vehicles.

“The town hall meeting will be held for a select group of representatives where the concepts of ‘general average and salvage’ will be explained as well as the requirements on providing security,” he said in a statement.

A hotline has also been set up to provide legal assistance to affected vehicle owners, Joseph said.

The vessel caught fire about nine nautical miles off Tanjung Labuh, Batu Pahat, on Dec 3 while en route to Kota Kinabalu, forcing it to return to Port Klang. Some vehicles were damaged in the incident.

Last week, vehicle owners expressed frustration after learning they would have to pay 60% of their cars’ value to the shipping company to retrieve them – regardless of whether their cars were damaged in the fire.

One affected owner said a shipping agent cited a maritime law clause stating that if a fire or damage occurs at sea, the loss must be shared by the shipowners and car owners.

However, many claimed they were not informed about this clause beforehand, leaving them confused about who should bear the cost.

Joseph explained that the shipowners are legally required to collect “general average security” to compensate owners of damaged vehicles, and “salvage security” for the salvors who assisted in saving the vessel.

“The shipowners have no option but to hold on to the vehicles until the correct security is provided,” he said, adding that the vessel owners deeply regretted the incident.

“We assure the public that at all material times, the owners have acted as responsible shipowners and are doing everything they can to investigate the reasons for the fire as well as to release the vehicles promptly upon receipt of security.”

For legal assistance, the vehicle owners may contact Joseph at [email protected] or phone +603 6203 7877 or +6012 3955 594.