Professor Ghafur obtained his LL.B. and LL.M. in International Law from the University of Yangon, Myanmar, and his Ph.D in Law from the. He started his teaching career at the Department of Law, University of Yangon in 1972. He founded the Department of Law at the University of Mandalay in 1988 and in 1992 he returned to his alma mater, the University of Yangon. Again in 1994, he founded the Department of Law of the University of Dagon and worked there as an associate professor and the Head of the Department of Law until 1997 when he migrated to Malaysia. He is currently a Professor of Law and Coordinator of International Law and Maritime Affairs (ILMA) Research Unit of the IIUM.
He is an expert in International Law of the Sea, Maritime Law and International Trade Law and has special research interests in carriage of goods by sea, Private International Law, Law Of International Institutions, and International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. He has completed a research project on "Reforming Laws Relating to the Protection of Marine Environment in Malaysia", granted by the Law Reform Committee of the Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia. His on-going research project is entitled: "Formulating a Legal Framework for sustaining Maritime Security in Malaysia", a Fundamental Research Grant (FRGS) funded by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. With his more than 40 years of teaching and research experience, he has authored or edited 17 books and published numerous articles in international and refereed journals.
Professor Ghafur is a life member of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), a member of the Asian Society of International Law, an editorial board member of the Journal of East Asia and International Law and the editor of the IIUM Law Journal.

• Social Science ~ Social Science ~ Law ~ Maritime Law (Including Admiralty Law) - Maritime Law; Shipping Law; Law of Carriage of Goods by Sea
• Social Science ~ Social Science ~ Law ~ International Law (Including Public and Private International Law, Law of the Sea, International Trade Law) - Public and Private International Law; Law of the Sea; International Trade Law; International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; Law of International Organizations

• 2008 - 2023: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Member), Asian Society of International Law
• 2010 - 2024: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Life Member), Maritime Institutute of Malaysia

Completed

2017 - 2017	Malaysia's Accession to the Hague Children's Conventions: The Feasibility Analysis
2016 - 2019	Establishing the Legal Framework for Resolving Private International Law Issues Arising from Matrimonial Disputes in Malaysia
2014 - 2014	Legal Opinion on Lionex Malaysia Sendirian Berhad
2013 - 2016	Formulation of a Legal Framework for Sustaining Maritim Security in Malaysia
2012 - 2015	Developing a legal framework for promoting child protection in malaysia by means of intercountry adoption
2011 - 2011	Reforming Laws relating to the Protection of the Marine Environment in Malaysia
2010 - 2013	A Study on the Malaysian Regulatory Framework Relating to the Law of the Sea: Issues and Prospects
2010 - 2012	The Right of Hot Pursuit and Maritime Enforcement in Malaysia: Constraints and Restraints
2009 - 2010	Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/ Pulau Batu Putih: The Judgement of the ICJ and A Critical Analysis of Its Legal Implications
2008 - 2009	The right of self - defence in the context of International Terrorism : A reappraisal of legal and policy consideration
2007 - 2008	Internal Application of international law: An Analysis of State Practice and the Malaysian Position
2007 - 2010	The Law and Practice of International Trade: A Malaysian Perspective
2007 - 2008	Liberalization of Distribution Service: The Impact of Foreign Hyper-markets in Malaysia
2004 - 2007	New Horizons in International Laws

On-Going

2019 - Present	Malaysia's Accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: Legal Implications and the Law Reforms that Need to be Made to Implement it
2008 - Present	International Law and Maritime Affairs Research Unit (ILMA)
2004 - Present	Trade, Regulation and Policy Research Unit

19 Feb, 2013	Silver Medal Award in the 2013 Research, Invention and Innovation Exhibition (IRIIE 2013) - IIUM	University
08 Dec, 2011	Best Library Partner Award, 2011 - IIUM Library	University
11 Jul, 2006	Quality Award - (b) Quality Researcher Award, International Islamic University Malaysia	University
11 Jul, 2005	Quality Award - (a) Best Teacher Award, International Islamic University Malaysia	University

Article

2023	Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022) on the situation in Myanmar: too little, too late?. EJIL Talk! Blog of the European Journal Of International Law, () pp.
2023	Security council resolution 2669 (2022) on the situation in Myanmar: too little, too late?. EJIL Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law, 4 January 2023 () pp.
2022	New ASEAN chair Indonesia can change the game in Myanmar. The Jakarta Post, () pp.
2022	Reforming the role of the Attorney General. The Star News Paper, 4 December 2022 (Letters to the Editor) pp. 1-4
2022	The principle that the land dominates the sea in the context of South China Sea disputes: a critical appraisal. IIUM Law Journal, 30 (2) pp. 49-75
2021	Superior responsibility under the Rome statute and its applicability to constitutional monarchy: an appraisal. IIUM Law Journal, 29 (2) pp. 115-145
2021	The amendment to the law reform (marriage and divorce) act 1976: reconciling the irreconcilable. IIUM Law Journal, 29 (S1) pp. 1-15
2021	The Rohingya genocide case (the Gambia v Myanmar): breach of obligations Erga Omnes Partes and the issue of standing. IIUM Law Journal, 29 (1) pp. 29-54
2021	Will there be fair access to vaccine?. The Malaysian Insight, 7 January 2021 () pp. 1-2
2020	Determination of a child’s habitual residence in international child abduction cases: charting the way towards harmonization. IIUM Law Journal, 28 (2) pp. 481-501
2020	Dire Need to address living conditions of migrant workers. Malaysiakini, () pp.
2020	Protection of child offenders at the pre-trial process in Malaysia: Are we doing enough?. Environment Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 5 (S13) pp. 285-288
2020	River pollution and class action in rakyat's interest. Malaysiakini, 15 December 2020 () pp.
2020	The Syrian crisis under the shadow of power politics: whither the role of international law?. Obafemi Awolowo University Law Journal, 3 (2) pp. 417-444
2019	Jurisdictional conflict in interfaith child custody disputes: a legal discourse in Malaysian courts. Al-Shajarah: Journal of The International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), 24 (1) pp. 1-24
2019	Malaysia and the Rome statute: the issue of sovereignty. IIUM Law Journal, 27 (2) pp. 279-316
2019	Refining maritime boundary delimitation methodology: the search for predictability and certainty. IIUM Law Journal, 27 (1) pp. 35-61
2018	Determining fundamental breach in international sale of goods: taming the unruly horse?. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 26 (S) pp. 171-178
2018	International parental child abduction in the Malaysian Legal context: addressing issues and the way forward. IIUM Law Journal, 26 (2) pp. 275-306
2018	International parental child abduction in the Malaysian legal context: issues and the way forward. IIUM Law Journal, 26 (2) pp. 275-306
2017	Filling the legal vacuum in combatting maritime crimes: A law reform strategy for Malaysia. International Journal of Public Law and Policy (IJPLAP), 6 (1) pp. 1-20
2017	Protecting asylum-seekers prior to determination of refugee status: reinterpreting the refugee convention and assessing contemporary state practice on non-refoulement. IIUM Law Journal, 25 (1) pp. 29-61
2017	The applicability of the 1980 Hague Abduction Convention in Muslim countries: particular reference to the Malaysian position. Arab Law Quarterly, 32 (2) pp. 99-128
2016	Combating piracy and armed robbery against ships: international cooperation in high risk areas . Malayan Law Journal Articles, 1 () pp. 1-8
2016	Entrusting coast guards with maritime law enforcement powers: lessons for Malaysia. IIUM Law Journal, 24 (1) pp. 83-106
2016	Reoffending among the child offenders in Malaysia: it's time to open our doors to theories underpinning diversionary measures. The Social Sciences, 11 (Special Issue 6) pp. 7274-7278
2016	The pre-trial detention of child offenders: some evidence from Malaysia. The Social Sciences, 11 (special issue 6) pp. 7210-7214
2015	Airline passengers’ screening: an appraisal from the Islamic law perspective. IIUM Law Journal, 23 (1) pp. 133-148
2015	Combating terrorism and the use of force against a state: a relook at the contemporary world order. Journal of East Asia and International Law, 8 (1) pp. 107-131
2015	Study the effect of kidney stones on serum xanthine oxidase, ecto-5’-nucleotidase activity and e3 sumo-protein ligase nse2 (NSMCE2) in Malaysian individuals. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 5 (8) pp. 665-668
2014	Balancing marine environmental protection and global trade: regulating maritime sector in Malaysia. Journal of Contemporary Management Sciences , 1 (1) pp. 15-29
2014	Combating piracy and armed robbery against ships: international cooperation in high risk areas. Malaysian Court Practice Bulletin, 1 () pp. 1-6
2014	Combating piracy under the United Nations convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. Journal of The Law Indian Institute, 56 (3) pp. 320-347
2014	Combating unlawful acts against the safety of maritime navigation under the sua convention. Indian Journal of International Law, 54 (1) pp. 147-176
2014	Erecting Malaysia's 'maritime fence' over the straits of Malacca and Singapore. AALCO Journal of International Law, 3 (1 ) pp. 111-120
2014	Prosecution of pirates under international law: in Limbo. Malayan Law Journal, 4 () pp. lxxxiv-xcvii
2013	Main causes of civilian vulnerability in a non- international armed conflict: An appraisal of the legal factors. Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2 (4) pp. 201-209
2012	Assessing the Viability of the 2005 Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation . Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 6 (11) pp. 137-144
2011	Case concerning sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh: a critical analysis of its legal implications. Malayan Law Journal, 3 () pp. 30-61
2011	Current legal developments international court of justice. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 26 (2) pp. 335-342
2011	Pedra Branca judgment and beyond: issues and challenges in its implementation by Malaysia and Singapore. International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 26 (2) pp. 335-342
2011	Prompt release of vesel and crew under article 292 of the UNCLOS: Is It An adequate safeguard against the powers of coastal states?. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 7 (13) pp. 2421-2431
2009	Islamic International Law and the right of self-defence of states. Journal of East Asia and International Law, 2 (1) pp. 67-101
2009	Reservations to CEDAW and the implementation of Islamic family law: issues and challenges. Malaysian Journal of Human Rights, 3 (1) pp. 69-94
2008	The defence of superior orders, manifest illegality principle and the statute of the International Criminal Court. Asian Journal of International Law, 3 (1-2) pp. 1-30
2008	The WTO rules versus multilateral environmental agreements: the search for reconciliation. Macquarie Journal of International and Comparative Environmental Law (MqJICEL), 5 (1) pp. 57-79

Conference or Workshop Item

2021	Researching international law: the Malaysian experience. In: TRILA (Teaching and Researching International Law) Malaysia Workshop,
2021	The role of education and schools in crime prevention among child offenders in Malaysia: moving forward. In: 1st International Conference on Humanities Design and Creativity (ICHDC),
2020	Can States take action against China for the global spread of COVID 19?. In: Online Forum,
2019	Incorporating the Rome statute in the Malaysian national legal system: issues and challenges. In: Symposium on Malaysia’s Accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,
2018	Islands versus rocks: claims over maritime entitlements and interpretation of Article 121 of the UNCLOS. In: Joint International Conference on Maritime Territorial Claims & Dispute Resolution 2018,
2018	The amendment to the Act of 1964: reconciling the irreconcilability. In: 7th International Conference on Law And Society (ICLAS 7),
2017	Recent amendment to the Malaysian Family Law: A step to resolve interfaith custody disputes. In: 16th World Conference of the International Society of Family Law,
2017	Refining the maritime boundary delimitation approach through decisions of international courts: towards predictability and certainty. In: International Conference on Dispute Resolution (ICDR) 2017,
2017	Resolving conflict of law issues in parental child abduction: Mediation as an effective mechanism. In: International Conference on Dispute Resolution 2017 - Modern Trends in Effective Dispute Resolution,
2017	The applicability of the 1980 Hague Abduction convention in Muslim countries: a particular reference to the Malaysian position. In: 6th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law 2017,
2017	Violence against women and children in conflict zones: legal protection. In: International Conference on Psychological and Legal Protection of Women and Children in Conflict Zones 2017,
2016	Determining fundamental breach in international sale of goods: taming the unruly horse?. In: 5th International Conference on Law and Society (ICLAS V) 2016,
2016	Relevant international law relating to treaties. In: Drafting of International Instruments: All You Need to Know.,
2015	"Maritime security and the need for a maritime offenses law in Malaysia: a critical appraisal". In: The 5th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law,
2015	Developing a legal framework for promoting child protection in Malaysia by means of intercountry adoption. In: 4th International Conference on Law & Society (ICLAS IV) 2015 ,
2015	Malaysia's accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC: challenges and the way ahead. In: PGA Parliamentary South-East Asia Sub-regional Seminar on the International Rule of Law and the Protection of Civilians,
2014	Balancing marine environmental protection and global trade: regulating maritime sector in Malaysia. In: International Research Conference on Business, Economics and Social Sciences, IRC-2014,
2014	Combatting maritime offences in Malaysia: an analysis of legal and procedural loopholes . In: International Conference on Law, Order and Criminal Justice 2014,
2014	Fortifying horn of Africa with the Djibouti code of conduct in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships: myth or reality. In: 11th ASLI Conference 2014: Law in Asia: Balancing Tradition and Modernization,
2014	International cooperation and the case for multilateralism: an analysis from International law perspective. In: 5th CILS International Conference on International Cooperation 2014,
2013	Combating terrorism and the use of force against a state: a re-look at the contemporary world order. In: the Asian Conference on Politics, Economics and Law (ACPEL 2013),
2013	The application of CEDAW Convention in Muslim countries: issues and challenges. In: National Conference on Human Rights in Islam: Issues and Challenges (CHRI2013),
2012	Muslim states and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: A special reference to Malaysia. In: International Conference: Islam and International Law,
2012	Seaweed and mangrove issues from International Law perspective. In: Workshop on Marine Environment Pollution,
2011	Prompt release obligation in the jurisprudence of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. In: 8th Asian Law Institute Conference (ASLI),
2011	Protective complementarity: an effective machinery to implement the Rome Statute. In: 2nd PGA Asia-Pasific Parliamentary Consultation on the Universality of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC),
2011	The enforcement of international humanitarian law through national and international criminal justice. In: The 6th Southeast and East Asian Teaching Sessions on International Humanitarian Law,
2011	The principle of distinction and the protection of civilians. In: International Humanitarian Conference: "Protecting Civilians in Time of Armed Conflicts: The Shari'ah and International Humanitarian Law Perspectives",
2010	Main causes of civilian harm in non-international armed conflicts. In: Regional Workshop on "Protection of Civilians under International Humanitarian Law",
2010	Rotterdam Rules or Hybrid: the likelihood for harmonization. In: MIMA Seminar on "The UNCITRAL Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea (Rotterdam Rules) and Its Implication to Malaysian Shippers, Carriers and Consignees",
2010	The blockade of Gaza and international law. In: Luncheon Talk and Launching of LL.M. in International Law Programme,
2009	Legal research: how to write a successful thesis. In: Postgraduate Research Workshop,
2009	Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh: the judgment of the ICJ and a critical analysis of its legal implications. In: 6th Asian Law Institute Conference,
2009	The legal regime of straits used for international navigation. In: IDFR Maritime Seminar Series - Straits of Malacca,
2007	Balancing the rights of the coastal state in its exclusive economic zone and freedom of navigation of other states: an analysis of the practice of Asian countries. In: The 4th Asian Law Institute (ASLI) Conference "Voice from asia for a just and equitable world",

Book

2023	Public International Law: a practical approach, 5th edition. Sweet & Maxwell Asia, ISBN: 978-629-7527-30-7
2019	Public international law: a practical approach, 4th ed.. Thomson Reuters Asia Sdn Bhd, ISBN: 978-967-2187-76-9
2017	International Conference on Dispute Resolution (ICDR 2017) proceedings. Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia, ISBN: 9789834309060
2012	Basic Documents in International Law, 4th. ed.. Harun M. Hashim Law Centre, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, ISBN: 9789834476328
2012	Human rights law: international, Malaysian and Islamic perspectives. Sweet and Maxwell Asia, ISBN: 978-967-5 040-8-70
2011	Public international law: a practical approach, 3rd ed. . Sweet & Maxwell Asia, ISBN: 9789675040719 (Soft Cover) 9789675040702 (Hard Cover)
2009	Basic documents in international law, 3rd ed.. Harun M. Hashim Law Centre, IIUM, ISBN: 9789834476311
2009	The theory and practice of international law : responses to a variety of international legal issues. Serials publications, ISBN: 9788183872928
2007	Basic documents in international laws, 2nd edition. Harun M. Hashim Law Centre, International Islamic University Malaysia, ISBN:
2007	Public international law : a practical approach / 2nd ed.. Prentice Hall/ Pearson Malaysia, ISBN: 9789833927180
2000	Essential cases and materials on International law. Law Centre IIUM, ISBN: 983-40413-2-2

Book Section

2023	Islamic law and international treaties: in search of a methodology of harmonisation. In: Harun M Hashim Law Centre, AIKOL, IIUM, ISBN: 978-967-2424-46-8, pp. 3-31
2019	Malaysia (Application of International Law in Malaysia). In: Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-0-19-879385-4, pp. 458-476
2016	The application of CEDAW Convention in Muslim countries: special reference to the Malaysian position. In: IIUM Press, ISBN: 978-967-418-418-6, pp. 231-256
2016	The application of CEDAW Convention in Muslim countries: special reference to the Malaysian position. In: IIUM Press, ISBN: 978-967-418-418-6, pp. 231-256
2013	Muslim states and the implementation of the convention on the rights of the child: with special reference to Malaysia. In: Brill: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, ISBN: 978-9900-04-23335-5 (hardback) 978-90-04-23336-2 (e-book), pp. 290-308
2012	Enforcement : the key human rights challenge. In: Sweet and Maxwell Asia, ISBN: 978-967-5040-87-0, pp. 37-56
2012	The right to liberty : a pillar of freedom in a democratic society. In: Sweet and Maxwell Asia, ISBN: 978-967-5040-87-0, pp. 87-104
2011	The international tribunal for the law of the sea and the significance of urgent proceedings. In: IIUM Press, ISBN: 978-967-0225-42-5, pp. 141-170
2011	The World Court: The Bulwark of International Justice. In: IIUM Press, ISBN: 978-967-0225-42-5, pp. 109-140
2010	Mediation in international disputes: a useful tool for peace-making and preventive diplomacy. In: Lexis Nexis Malaysia, ISBN: 9789675371844, pp. 367-384
2009	The defence of superior orders, manifest illegality principle and the statute of the international criminal court. In: Serials Publications, ISBN: 9788183872928, pp. 1-30

Monograph

2019	Establishing the legal framework for resolving private International Law issues arising from matrimonial disputes in Malaysia. In: ,
2012	The right of hot pursuit and maritime enforcement in malaysia: constraints and restraints. In: s.n,