SCORPENE'S ARRIVAL - A SYMBOLIC "GIFT" FOR MALAYSIA DAY

By Kristy Inus

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Sept 14 (Bernama) -- A few years ago, the idea of
a submarine housed in this state of Sabah, the northern part of Borneo Island,
would have been just a dream.

But come Sept 17, that dream would turn into a reality as the nation's first
submarine, after crossing the South China Sea, will dock at its permanent berth
at the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) base in Sepanggar Bay, the second largest
after the Lumut base in Perak.

Arriving a day after the Malaysia Day on Sept 16, the state government is
expected to hold a brief welcoming ceremony to witness the historic occasion
that seems a fittingly symbolic gift to mark the Malaysia Day.

The Scorpene submarine, called KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) had earlier
arrived on Sept 3 at the naval base in Pulau Indah, Port Klang.

The KD TAR, under the command of Commander Zulhelmy Ithnain with a crew of
35, arrived in Malaysia after a 55-day journey from Toulon, France where it was
built, witnessed by King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Prime
Minister Najib Razak.

This is the first of the two submarines acquired by the Malaysian government
through a deal costing RM3.4 billion in 2002, and jointly built by the French
DCNS and Spanish Navantia experts in France.

Both submarines are named after the country's first and second prime
ministers.

The second submarine, KD Tun Razak, is scheduled to begin its journey home
on Jan 26, 2010 and arrive two months later.

Scorpene, a conventional combat submarine that can operate in depths of
100-200 metres, is equipped with six torpedo tubes where guided missiles can be
launched simultaneously.

The submarine, with a 20 nautical knot speed, also has anti-aircraft
missiles and anti-submarine torpedoes.

The acquisition of the submarines was government's biggest commitment to
enhance the capability of its armed forces in safeguarding the sovereignty of
Malaysian waters, his Majesty has said on the day of KD TAR's arrival.

Expressing his pride for the determination shown by the KD TAR crew in
completing their one-year training in France, Tuanku Mizan said it would help to
develop a more credible and capable military force in the region.

To the people of Sabah, to have the KD TAR housed permanently in the state's
waters is nothing less than a privilege.

Former Chief Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the move showed the
federal government's commitment and sincerity in tackling security matters
affecting the nation, particularly in Sabah.

"This will ensure the Malaysian waters in Sabah are under control and free
from threats," he told Bernama, here.



A Sepanggar resident, Mohd Joh Wid, described the submarine as a gift for
Malaysia Day and the Merdeka Month celebration.

"This will undoubtedly enhance the status of the Sepanggar naval base as an
elite base. It has also enhanced the capabilities of our navy," said Mohd Joh, a
Sepanggar Umno Youth chief.

For now, everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the submarine in
Sepanggar Bay, where the navy has allocated a site of 128 hectares, sufficient
to house two Scorpenes.

Among the facilities at the base are a housing complex, office blocks,
shooting range and an 18-metre floating platform.

The KD TAR is also expected to be displayed at the Langkawi International
Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2009 (Lima '09) on Dec 1-5.

-- BERNAMA