Navy diver killed in KD Pendekar salvage ops

A navy diver has been killed during salvage operations to recover or destroy sensitive materials aboard the ship KD Pendekar, which sank on Sunday after hitting an underwater object.

In a statement today, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) identified the deceased as Arman San Hermansa.

Arman, a mine clearance diver of the Diving and Mine Warfare Headquarters who holds the rank of Able Seaman I, died in the incident today.

“A special investigation board has been established to identify the cause of the incident.

“(Arman’s) remains are now at Sultan Ismail Hospital, Johor, for autopsy and will be brought to Lahad Datu, Sabah, for burial.

“The RMN will ensure all forms of assistance and support will be provided for his family in facing this challenge,” the navy headquarters said in a statement today.

While authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding Arman’s death, a New Straits Times report claimed he is believed to have drowned while installing floats at the wreck site.

Pendekar is a Handalan-class fast attack craft that stuck an underwater object at about noon on Aug 25, causing a leak that sank the vessel about two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusup at 3.45pm that day.

Its crew of 39 were all rescued, and the area was subsequently cordoned off to facilitate a salvage operation.

An NST report on Monday quoted Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin saying standard operating procedures call for sensitive materials, including classified documents, encryption devices, and weapons, to be secured or destroyed if a vessel is under threat of being compromised or captured.

However, the Pendekar’s crew were unable to complete the task themselves in time since the vessel was taking in water rapidly.

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