MALAYSIA'S FIRST SUBMARINE TO ARRIVE IN JULY

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), March 12 (Bernama) -- The country's first
submarine is expected to arrive as scheduled in July, Prime Minister Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the preparation for the arrival of the French-made Scorpene-class KD
Abdul Rahman was progressing well.

"I am told that the Sepanggar Naval Base will also be completed on schedule
in July," he told reporters after visiting the 190ha naval base project in
Sepanggar near this capital city of East Malaysia state of Sarawak.

Abdullah, who is Defence Minister, said he was satisfied with the facility
at the RM636 million (US$173.3 million) base, which will house the submarine.

The second submarine, KD Tun Abdul Razak, is expected to arrive at the end
of the year.
-- BERNAMA