Port calls by foreign warships nothing extraordinary, says minister

 Defence minister Khaled Nordin says the USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa were in Penang for three days for logistical purposes.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said port calls by foreign warships are part of defence diplomacy activities. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Defence minister Khaled Nordin has downplayed the presence of two US warships at the North Butterworth container terminal, saying port calls by foreign navy vessels are nothing extraordinary.

Khaled said the two US littoral combat ships – the USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa – made the port call from March 14 to 16 for logistical purposes before continuing to their next destination.

“There is nothing new about foreign navy vessels conducting port calls in Malaysian ports. This has long been a practice in defence relationships and international maritime travel.

“This is part of Malaysia’s defence diplomacy activities aimed at enhancing confidence and safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation’s territory,” he said in a statement.

Khaled said port calls are made for logistical matters like replenishing supplies and minor maintenance, while giving sailors some time to rest.

He said Malaysia had clear procedures and policies for port calls, adding that applications must be filed through official channels, subject to Putrajaya’s approval.

Yesterday, Perikatan Nasional urged the government to explain the presence of the two US warships in Penang, expressing concerns that it contradicts Malaysia’s neutral stance in the Iran war.

The USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa are reportedly configured for minesweeping duties and were previously deployed in the Middle East.

Khaled said Malaysia saw a total of 75 port calls last year involving navy vessels from 14 countries – Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Korea, France, Singapore, the UK and the US.

He said some port calls involve joint naval exercises held from time to time, especially involving allies and other nations with interests in key maritime passageways like the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea.

“It also involves international missions to ensure regional stability and peace,” he said. - FMT