RMN GETS FIRST LCS VESSEL
Govt won’t risk nation’s security, says Hishammuddin
THE government would not compromise on Malaysia’s security despite the economic slowdown, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said this could be seen from the unveiling of the first secondgeneration littoral combat ship (LCS) here.
He said five more LCS would be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) by 2023.
“With the LCS vessels, I hope RMN’s ability to protect the country’s sovereignty will be boosted, especially in facing Islamic State threats.”
He said apart from the homebuilt LCS, the nation’s security would be further boosted by the arrival of littoral mission ships (LMS) from China.
“RMN is expected to receive four littoral mission ships in stages, with two of these vessels being built in China, while the remaining will be built in the country.”
He said as of July 8, RMN had despatched a team of 11 navy officers, together with nine Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) Sdn Bhd personnel to Wuhan, China.
He said the RMN and BNS personnel would spend 37 months to monitor the ship-building process at Wuchang Shipyard.
“I learnt that they are on the Basic Design Review stage. This is to ensure that the ships’ specifications follow our needs and requests. Based on the progress, I believe we will receive the first LMS by October 2019.”
Hishammuddin said this at the naming and launch of Malaysia’s first LCS at the BNS at the RMN base here yesterday.
Malaysia’s first LCS has been named KD Maharaja Lela, in honour of the late Perak chieftain and British-era resistance leader, Da-tuk Maharaja Lela.
The first of its kind, the ship, under the Maharaja Lela Class, was constructed by BNS, a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd and associate company of Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd (BHIC).
It was completed after oneand-a half years at the RMN base here, after its keel was laid down in March last year.
Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim launched the LCS, witnessed by her husband, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.