Latest news with #MohamedKhaledNordin
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's first ethnic Chinese lieutenant general, Johnny Lim, retires
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Malaysia's first ethnic Chinese to reach the rank of lieutenant general, Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng, has retired after his promotion in June. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced Lim's retirement yesterday, after receiving a courtesy visit from the latter at Wisma Pertahanan. 'On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Defence, I express my appreciation to him for all his dedicated service and contributions to the country and military service. 'I hope he can continue to contribute to the homeland in his own capacity. Thank you, General, and congratulations on entering retirement,' Khaled said. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin presents a plaque to Lt-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng at Wisma Pertahanan in Kuala Lumpur on July 30, 202. — Khaled Nordin/Facebook pic Lim made history last month when he became the first ethnic Chinese to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in the MAF. However, his promotion caused controversy when Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad used it to suggest that Malaysia would have an ethnic Chinese prime minister in years to come. PAS later disavowed the division leader's views.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Johnny Lim, first three-star general of Chinese descent, retires
KUALA LUMPUR: Lieutenant General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng, who made history as the first ethnic Chinese officer to be promoted to that rank in the Armed Forces (MAF), retired today. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin shared the news in a post on his social media account after receiving a courtesy visit from the Commandant of the National Resilience College in conjunction with his retirement at Wisma Pertahanan today. "On behalf of the government and the Defence Ministry, I express my gratitude to him for his dedicated service and contributions to the nation and the military. "I hope he will continue to contribute to the country in his own capacity. Thank you, General, and best wishes for your retirement," the post read. In June, Johnny made history as the first ethnic Chinese officer to attain the rank of Lieutenant General in the Armed Forces. Lim received his early education at St Francis Primary School in Melaka from 1973 to 1978, and continued at St Francis Secondary School until 1983.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
LCS project progress at 73pc, slightly behind schedule, says defence minister
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The littoral combat ship (LCS) project is behind schedule at 72.9 per cent completion as of June 25, short of its 76.1 per cent target, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said. In a written parliamentary reply, Khaled attributed the shortfall to necessary rework on piping and cabling systems, following observations by the project's design authority, France's Naval Group. 'The delay was caused by rework on piping and extended cabling following comments by the design authority,' Khaled stated. 'Nevertheless, the ministry remains committed to ensuring all ships are delivered within the updated timeline.' According to Khaled, LCS1 entered its Setting to Work (STW) phase in May and is slated for its first sea trial in December. LCS2 underwent a 'technical downslip' in May and is expected to be handed over to the Royal Malaysian Navy by April 2027. He added that the construction of LCS3 to LCS5 is proceeding according to schedule, with deliveries planned every eight months from 2027 until the final vessel is completed in 2029. The minister also updated the Dewan Rakyat on other key procurements, including the acquisition of three ANKA drones from Turkish Aerospace Industries, which are expected to be delivered by February 2026. 'Assembly has reached 99 per cent, and aircraft system integration is at 85 per cent,' he said, calling the drones a major boost for the country's surveillance and border-monitoring capabilities. Khaled also assured Parliament that mechanisms are in place to prevent a repeat of past procurement failures. 'We've established various levels of monitoring, from contract administration to ministerial oversight, with involvement from the Finance Ministry, the Economy Ministry, the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), and the Attorney General's Chambers,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
LCS project hits snag, progress trails by 3pct
KUALA LUMPUR: The overall progress of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project stood at 72.90 per cent as of June 25, slightly behind the planned schedule. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the shortfall, compared to the original projection of 76.1 per cent, was due to rework on piping and cabling, following feedback from the Design Authority, Naval Group. "As of June 25, the LCS project has reached 72.90 per cent completion, a variance of -3.20 per cent from the original schedule due to the necessary rework," he said in a written parliamentary reply. "LCS1 has been in the Setting to Work (STW) phase since May and is expected to undergo its maiden sea trials in December." He added that LCS2 successfully completed its technical downslip on May 8, with 72.26 per cent progress, and is scheduled to begin its STW, Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT), and Sea Acceptance Test (SAT) before its handover to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in April 2027. The construction of LCS3 through LCS5 is proceeding on schedule, with LCS3 set for delivery in 2027. Each subsequent vessel is scheduled to follow at eight-month intervals, with LCS5 expected to be completed by 2029. Khaled was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN–Pengkalan Chepa) on the current status of Malaysia's strategic defence asset procurements, including combat ships, drones, and air defence systems. He said that another key procurement currently underway involved drone technology or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is in the process of acquiring three ANKA UAS from Turkish Aerospace Industries, with delivery scheduled for February next year. "To date, assembly is 99 per cent complete, and system integration has reached 85 per cent. These drones will significantly enhance Malaysia's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, particularly in border monitoring," he said. He also said that the GM400 long-range air defence system, currently under development in Bintulu, was in its internal testing phase from June to July 2025. The project is 60 per cent complete and is slated to be operational by April 2027. Additionally, the RMAF is acquiring 18 Fighter Lead-In Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA) from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). "As of now, the project has achieved 69.47 per cent completion; 3.47 per cent ahead of schedule. Deliveries are expected to begin in October 2026 and continue until August 2027." Two Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Leonardo S.P.A are also being procured. Progress on the project currently stands at 65.8 per cent, surpassing the contractual schedule of 52.4 per cent. "One MPA is due for delivery in June 2026, with the second following in September 2026," he said. To ensure smooth execution and minimise potential leakages, the ministry has implemented several oversight mechanisms, ranging from contract administration to top-level monitoring involving central agencies. "These measures include the establishment of the Ministry Development Action Committee (JTPK), chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, and the Defence Development Action Council, chaired by the Defence Minister himself," Khaled said. He added that the ministry actively conducted regular site visits, both domestically and abroad, to monitor procurement progress.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Royal Malaysian Navy'sTaming Sari 23/25 exercise: First ever missile, torpedo launch
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 By: Stefyanie Myla Micheal Text Size: During the Taming Sari Exercise. Kota Kinabalu: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) on Tuesday conducted the simultaneous firing of several Exocet missiles and a Black Shark torpedo during Taming Sari 23/25 exercise to raise the country's maritime defence readiness. The event took place in the South China Sea. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the exercise involved the firing of Exocet MM40 missiles by KD Lekiu and KD Lekir, as well as the firing of Exocet SM39 missiles, in coordination from the submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman. He said the exercise made history as it involved submarine KD Tun Razak firing a Black Shark torpedo in a war configuration for the first time. 'For the Exocet missile, the firing was carried out at a distance of more than 30km while for the Black Shark torpedo, it was at a distance of less than 10km. 'The exercise is necessary for us to improve the readiness and capabilities of our armed forces. 'It aims to ensure that at all times, in any situation, our armed forces are always competent in defending the country. 'We don't shoot to show. Every missile, every torpedo is part of preparing the next generation. This is deterrence by defence, not aggression. 'Malaysia's Navy is prepared, tested and capable. This proves our integrated firepower and the strength of our strategic deterrent,' he told a press conference after witnessing the exercise, Tuesday. Exercise Taming Sari 23/25 was completed together with Exercise Kerismas 28/25 starting from July 8 to 31 from Lumut Royal Malaysian Navy Base and ending at the Kota Kinabalu Royal Malaysian Navy Base. It covers the Malaysian maritime zone in the South China Sea by focusing on the ability to operate in various maritime domains as well as the interoperability capabilities between the units involved. Mohamed Khaled said the exercise involved 15 ships and two submarines from RMN, supported by assets from the Army, Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). He said the exercise also aimed to assess the current status of the country's defence assets, especially from RMN, as some of them were old, but were still at an optimal level to achieve the national defence objectives. 'So far, all assets are functioning well but this does not mean that we do not have long-term plans. We are aware of the condition of the aged assets. All our services are undergoing a modernisation process under the future force policy. 'We need to understand the importance of readiness. Our defence doctrine is not to attack other countries but to develop the ability to defend the country. National defence does not only depend on the ownership of assets but also on the ability of our personnel to carry out their responsibilities,' he explained. Also those present were Ministry of Defence Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of Staff of the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters Left Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman and other RMN senior officers. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
