Kota Kinabalu: Carrying 109 personnel and 15 officers, KD Selangor which arrived at the Sepanggar naval base here on Saturday will be made as a benchmark for other vessels in the Eastern Fleet, said Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Syed Zahiruddin Putra Syed Osman.This is because KD Selangor is the best ship in the navy from the aspects of operations, maintenance, cleanliness and professionalism.In addition, he said it is also so they are able to distinguish weaknesses and increase the capability as well as the assets of the Eastern Fleet.
ADVERTISEMENT
"With the addition of the vessel, it will also enhance our assets in operation areas in Sabah waters as to ensure maritime security," he said at the Sepanggar naval base, which saw some 500 navy personnel show up to welcome the new vessel.Syed said the vessel – which is now under the Eastern Fleet's authority – was part of their plan to transfer all patrol vessels to the Eastern Fleet, where KD Selangor was the first to start the ball rolling.
He said the other patrol vessels including KD Kelantan is expected to arrive in March this year, while KD Pahang and KD Terengganu at the end of this year or in early 2019.On a related note, Syed said that the navy has rented around 400 units of houses for their personnel and they are planning to build more housing units at the naval base.
ADVERTISEMENT
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
As for the plan to acquire 18 Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) which will then be deployed to the Sepanggar naval base, Syed said it is already in motion."The first LMS is already in construction in China and is expected to be completed in 2019 or 2020, where both the construction and deployment will be done in phases," he said.
