The KM Bendahara, a former US Coast Guard vessel given by the US to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), was obtained for free via the US’s Excess Defence Articles programme, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a written parliamentary reply, he said the cutter, formerly known as USCGC Steadfast, was received “as is, where is”, meaning the Malaysian government shouldered the cost of ensuring it was operational and safe to sail.
“(The cost includes) the installation of navigation and communication equipment not included in the handover package, as well as replacement and supplementary equipment, training, repairs, ship transport and other related upgrades.
“The agreed-upon cost was RM7 million, with a maximum contingency allocation of 10% of the total cost,” he said.
Saifuddin was replying to Nordin Ahmad Ismail (PN-Lumut), who asked how much KM Bendahara cost, and what were MMEA’s plans for it.
On Nov 5, Naval News reported that the US Coast Guard transferred ownership of the vessel to MMEA on Sept 6, ahead of its departure for Malaysia with a Malaysian crew on Sept 18. It arrived in Port Klang on Nov 4.
Saifuddin said the vessel would function as a platform to ease pressure from the China Coast Guard via white hull diplomacy – the use of coast guard ships to assert sovereignty – in the South China Sea.
He said it would also be used for security monitoring in the islands and oil platforms off Sabah and Sarawak.
