Kota kinabalu: The deployment of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA) latest offshore patrol vessel, KM BENDAHARA, is expected to strengthen the country's enforcement, surveillance and operational readiness, particularly in the waters off Sabah and the South China Sea.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the vessel was officially named at the MMEA BENDAHARA Naming Ceremony, officiated by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman here today. KM BENDAHARA is the former United States Coast Guard (USCG) cutter USCG Steadfast (WMEC-623), built in 1967 and retired from USCG service on Feb 1, 2024, after more than five decades of service.
The vessel was acquired by the Malaysian Government under the United States Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme before being officially handed over to the MMEA on Sept 5, 2025, in Baltimore, the United States. In his speech, Awang Alik said the commissioning of KM BENDAHARA demonstrates the MADANI Government's continued commitment to strengthening national maritime security by enhancing strategic assets to address increasingly complex security challenges.
Awang Alik said the government had allocated more than RM30 million to finance the vessel's maintenance and refurbishment, crew training, and delivery voyage to Malaysia as a strategic investment in enhancing the MMEA's operational readiness. "Sabah remains a priority for the Federal Government in the national security agenda due to its position as Malaysia's frontline in the Maritime Zone and the strategically important South China Sea," he said.
Awang Alik also expressed appreciation to the entire KM BENDAHARA crew for successfully bringing the vessel home safely after completing a voyage of more than 49 days from Baltimore, which began on Sept 17, 2025. "The historic voyage crossed seven seas, four major gulfs and two international straits before arriving in Klang on Nov 4, 2025, and subsequently in Kota Kinabalu on Nov 14, 2025.
"Throughout the voyage, the crew faced numerous challenges, including joint training with the USCG, technical disruptions and navigation signal spoofing incidents, all of which were successfully overcome through professionalism, mental resilience and strong teamwork," he added.
Awang Alik said the ceremony also reflected the growing strategic relationship between Malaysia and the United States in maritime security, with the transfer of the vessel from the USCG to the MMEA symbolising the high level of trust placed in Malaysia as a strategic partner in safeguarding regional waters. "KM BENDAHARA will operate alongside the MMEA's other offshore patrol vessels, including KM TUN FATIMAH and KM ARAU, to strengthen operational presence, patrols and enforcement in the South China Sea and Sabah waters," he said.
On the vessel's name, Awang Alik said BENDAHARA symbolises wisdom, authority, loyalty and trustworthiness, values that formed the foundation of governance during the Malay Sultanate era, and expressed hope that the name would inspire the ship's crew in carrying out their responsibility to safeguard the nation's maritime sovereignty.