3-9-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Maritime experts have sounded the alarm over Malaysia’s continued reliance on outdated naval vessels, branding the practice as both impractical and potentially hazardous. The issue has come to the fore following a recent incident involving one of the nation’s ageing attack craft.
Salawati Mat Basir, a respected authority on maritime affairs and law, has criticised the ongoing maintenance of these antiquated ships as an exercise in futility. Speaking to FMT, she remarked, “While our neighbours, such as Indonesia, are deploying state-of-the-art fleets, we persist in operating vessels that have been in service for four decades.”
Mat Basir emphasised that naval vessels typically have an operational lifespan of 20 to 25 years, beyond which they should be decommissioned to keep pace with technological advancements. She stressed the importance of Malaysia, as a maritime nation, investing in cutting-edge technology and modern ships to ensure both safety and operational efficiency.
These concerns have been thrown into sharp relief following the recent sinking of KD Pendekar, one of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s attack craft. The vessel, which had been in service since 1979, sprang a leak after colliding with an underwater object off the coast of Johor on 25 August.
In response to the incident, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin announced that inspections would be carried out on all naval vessels over 40 years old to assess their condition. It is understood that approximately one-third of Malaysia’s naval fleet falls into this category.
While Minister Nordin maintained that the vessel’s age was not the primary factor in the incident, experts remain sceptical. Mat Basir noted that it is highly unusual for navy ships to sink in such circumstances, particularly given their sophisticated sonar systems. She suggested that the vessel’s advanced age and resultant wear and tear likely contributed to the incident.
The concerns raised by experts are not without precedent. Last year, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed alarm over the condition of the navy’s fleet. His Royal Highness called for the replacement of all ageing assets to ensure the constant protection of Malaysian waters and the navy’s readiness.
Defence expert Mizan Aslam echoed these sentiments, warning of the potential dangers of operating naval vessels beyond their average 25-year lifespan. “We have 10 to 15 vessels that are over 40 years old, which is considered quite elderly in naval terms,” Aslam stated. “These ships require thorough inspections as we cannot afford to gamble with the lives of our naval personnel.”
As a potential stopgap measure, Aslam suggested that Malaysia could leverage its diplomatic relationships with countries such as Turkey, China, Russia, and European nations to temporarily lease maritime assets. This approach, he argued, would ensure that Malaysia maintains the necessary capacity and capability to protect its shores while modernising its fleet.
