A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessel, the KD Pendekar, sank on August 25, 2024, after striking an unidentified underwater object off the coast of Johor. Fortunately, all 39 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The incident occurred approximately two miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, where the ship began leaking around noon, with the initial breach detected in the engine room. Despite efforts to control the flooding, the situation escalated, leading to the 260-ton vessel’s eventual sinking.
In response, the RMN launched a salvage operation to recover the partially submerged ship and announced the formation of a special investigative board to determine the precise cause of the leak. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, local police, and the maritime community have also joined the recovery efforts. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation and to rely on official sources for accurate information.
Last Body Found From Sunken Sicily Superyacht, All 6 Missing Guests Reported Dead
This incident has prompted Malaysian authorities to inspect older naval vessels, particularly those over 40 years old, to assess their seaworthiness. Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin highlighted that while the age of the KD Pendekar may not have directly caused the incident, the Malaysian Navy is moving forward with a fleet modernization program. This initiative includes constructing new littoral combat ships, with the first expected to be commissioned in 2026, and negotiating the purchase of littoral mission ships from Turkey.
