US warship collision investigation under way

Liow: Probe to take a month

Our team will investigate the incident which took place in Malaysian waters.

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai

PORT KLANG: The investigation into the collision of a US warship and a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Johor will be completed in a month, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The Transport Minister said Malaysia was liaising with the Singapore and US governments on the matter.

“Our team will investigate the incident which took place in Malaysian waters,” he said after opening the Asean Regional Training Centre for Vessel Traffic Services at the Maritime Transport Training Institute here yesterday.

Also present was Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Keiichi Ishii.

On Aug 21, the US 7th Fleet reported that the USS John S. McCain, a guided- missile destroyer, collided with Alnic MC. Malaysia led a search-and-rescue operation for 10 missing US sailors. The operation was officially called off on Monday morning after all the bodies were found.

Liow said the probe would be restricted to the technical and procedural aspects, and standard operating procedure of the Alnic MC, as that on the USS John S. McCain came under the purview of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Earlier, Liow thanked the Japanese government for funding US$2.7mil (RM11.52mil) for the training centre, procurement of equipment and student expenses through the Japan- Asean Integration Fund. He said the centre started its first programme on July 24 involving 18 participants from Asean countries.

On MCA, Liow, who is the party president, said it planned to strengthen its social media presence ahead of the next general election.

“In the last two general elections, MCA only fared average in our online and social media engagements.

“We need to pay more attention to the social media because the younger generation use it extensively,” he said, when asked about his double-act role in a National Day video titled “Citizens”.

He said the video was his way of telling the Chinese community that MCA understood their concerns. “Citizens” is a six-minute short film featuring politician Liow having a no-holds-barred conversation with a citizen – also played by Liow.

The minister said he had received positive feedback on the video effort.