Malaysia claims US warship-tanker accident happened in its waters

Today Online 22 Aug 17;

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has disputed Singapore’s account that a maritime accident between an American destroyer and a merchant vessel took place in the Republic’s territorial waters.

Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency director-general Zulkifili Abu Bakar insisted that the collision between USS John S McCain and Alnic MC occurred 4.5 nautical miles from Malaysia’s coast off Johor.

“It happened in Malaysian territorial waters, specifically in Teluk Ramunia waters,’’ Mr Zulkifili said.

He added that the Malaysian search and rescue operation was independent of Singapore’s, and Malaysia had not communicated with the Republic about the incident.

“What is important is, we do not want to have another collision between assets on the ground. For the time being, we shouldn’t be arguing about whose waters it is. The most important thing is to focus on search and rescue,” he said, referring to the territorial dispute over Pedra Branca that has simmered between Singapore and Malaysia for decades.

Malaysia’s navy chief, Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, also claimed that the country’s KD Handalan warship was the first to respond to the distress call from the American destroyer.

“KD Handalan was just three miles from the USS McCain when it first received the distress call,” he said.

But a statement by the United States Seventh Fleet on Monday (Aug 21) evening contradicted his claim.

“Royal Malaysian Navy ships joined the search this afternoon, providing KD Handalan, KD Gempita, and KM Marudu and a Super Lynx helicopter.

“Earlier in the day, Republic of Singapore Navy Fearless-class patrol ships RSS Gallant (97), RSS Resilience (82), and a Singaporean Police Coast Guard vessel Basking Shark (PH 55) rendered assistance,” the US Navy said.

“Gallant, along with an Singapore Armed Forces Super Puma helicopter and Police Coast Guard vessels Tiger Shark (PH 54) and Sandbar Shark (PH 56) continue to provide assistance.”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it was notified just before dawn on Monday of the collision in “Singapore territorial waters” in the Singapore Strait, and the Republic was leading the search and rescue operations.

“The Malaysian agencies are not involved in the search and rescue operations that is led by Singapore,” the MPA said. The row over the ownership of Pedra Branca dates back to the late 1970s, and it took more than 20 years for the dispute to be brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2003.

In May 2008, after several rounds of written pleadings and public hearings, the court ruled Pedra Branca to be Singapore territory.

It also ruled that sovereignty over the Middle Rocks belongs to Malaysia. But in February, Malaysia filed a challenge to the ruling, following what it claimed was the discovery of new facts from three documents recently discovered in the United Kingdom’s national archive.

In June, Putrajaya filed another application asking ICJ to interpret its ruling on Pedra Branca.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the application by saying that the ICJ judgment was “clear and unambiguous” and that Malaysia’s case was puzzling and groundless. AGENCIES


Malaysia insists leading SAR for missing US sailors

BY M. KUMAR The Star 21 Aug 17;

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is leading the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the 10 missing sailors of US destroyer USS John S. McCain which collided with an oil tanker Monday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general Datuk Zulkifli Abu Bakar said reports that the operation was being led by Singapore were false.

Zulkifli also disputed reports that the collision between the guided-missile destroyer and oil tanker MV Alnic MC occurred in Singapore waters.

"The 5.30am incident happened 4.5 nautical miles from our coast in Teluk Ramunia. It is in our waters so we are leading the SAR operations," he told a press conference at MMEA headquarters here Monday.

He said the SAR was being carried out with water and air assets from MMEA, Royal Malaysian Navy and the maritime police.

"The search zones have been divided into four sectors, each a square of five by five nautical miles," he said.

He said Singapore was also conducting its own search in the area.

The collision took place close to Pulau Batu Putih, the focus of a territorial dispute between both Malaysia and Singapore.

However, Zulkifli said that now is not the time for arguments.

"We will communicate with Singaporean authorities and our men on the ground are also talking to each other," he said.

He added that the Indonesian navy is also sending two ships, KRI Parang and KRI Cucuk, to aid in the SAR.

He said while he did not want to speculate on what caused the collision, he noted that the area was a busy maritime passage.

"It is the entrance to the Singapore Straits and Malacca Straits, which sees over 80,000 ships passing through it yearly," he said.

Zulkifli said both ships involved in the collision have been directed to Singapore's Changi port for repairs and investigation.

"USS John S. McCain suffered a gash on its port side while it is unclear if the Liberian registered MV Alnic suffered any damage," he said.

Five sailors were injured in the incident and are in stable condition at a hospital in Singapore.

Zulkifli said that there was no sign of the missing sailors so far.


US Navy destroyer collision: Malaysia assisting in search for 10 sailors
RAHMAH GHAZALI The Star 21 Aug 17;

PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysia Navy has despatched ships and a helicopter to help in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations after a US warship and a merchant vessel collided seven nautical miles off the coast of Johor.

Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said SAR operations are currently under way for 10 missing sailors.

The Navy has deployed three ships – the KD Handalan, KD Gempita, and KD Lekiu – as well as a CB 90 assault craft and SuperLynx helicopter, he told The Star.

“The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has also deployed three vessels to assist in operations, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force is also deploying aircraft,” he added.

Kamarulzaman also urged the maritime community in Johor and Pahang, especially fishermen, to help look for the 10 missing US Navy sailors.

The USS John S. McCain, a guided-missile destroyer, collided with the Alnic MC at 5.24am on Monday east of Singapore, the US 7th Fleet reported.

The accident occurred when the US Navy ship was making its way to Singapore for a routine visit. Its home port is Yokosuka in Japan.

Singapore authorities are working with the US Navy to conduct search and rescue efforts after the warship suffered damage, said the 7th Fleet.

Apart from the 10 missing sailors, five personnel were injured.

The accident comes two months after seven US sailors died when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged cargo ship off the Japanese coast.