NAVY VESSEL TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY IN EAST COAST WATERS

KUANTAN (Malaysia), July 17 (Bernama) -- Security surveillance in waters on
the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia will be strengthened further with the
presence of Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) patrol vessel, KD Perak, at the Tanjung
Gelang Naval Base, near here.

Region One Commander First Admiral Mohd Som Ibrahim said the
state-of-the-art patrol vessel, with a maximum speed of 22 knots, would enhance
the navy's capabilities in patrolling the 144,000 square nautical miles area.

"Besides for warfare, the vessel will also be used for training and
safeguarding the waters from pirates and illegal fishing activities.

"We are confident that the vessel will be able to discharge its duties
effectively and thus convince the people and investors about their safety in the
country," he told a news conference after receiving the vessel here Friday.

Mohd Som said the vessel, which is about 91.1 metres in length and
12.85-metre in width, was built in Lumut, Perak, and was the third of the new
generation vessels after that of KD Kedah and KD Pahang which are based in Teluk
Sepanggar, near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

He said the 1,650-tonne vessel would have 70 crewmen including 12 officers.

The Region One Naval Base is expected to receive another patrol vessel, KD
Terengganu, soon.
-- BERNAMA