The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) appointed a private company to conduct the salvage operation of Kapal Diraja (KD) Pendekar that sank off Tanjung Penyusup, in Kota Tinggi, Johor, on Sunday.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Navy has conducted initial work, including identifying and ensuring equipment on the fast attack craft was in good condition.

However, he said they would leave the refloating and salvage work to the private company.

“The postmortem has yet to be completed and is expected to take a month and we don’t know anything about the death (of the diver) as we have yet to receive the full report.

“We expect the full report on the KD Pendekar leak to take a month,” he said.

Khaled was speaking at a media conference after attending the launch of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) Foundation at the Mahkota Kluang Camp today.

The event also saw the launch of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi)’s e-Perkasa SPM programme.

He said 969 children of armed forces personnel living outside the military camp who are taking their SPM examinations throughout the country will benefit from the programme.

The online programme would allow all students to access learning at any time.

“The programme involves five subjects and comes with a laptop thanks to the LTAT foundation.

“Children of armed forces personnel who graduated but have yet to secure jobs can undergo industrial training with an allowance of RM2,000 for a year,” Khaled added.

He also presented laptops to the children of armed forces personnel at the event.

- Bernama

Navy diver's wife urges public not to speculate about husband's death

Navy diver's wife urges public not to speculate about husband's death

Navy diver killed in KD Pendekar salvage ops

Navy diver killed in KD Pendekar salvage ops

Mindef awaiting full report on sinking of KD Pendekar

Mindef awaiting full report on sinking of KD Pendekar

Navy craft sinks after hitting underwater object off Pengerang

Navy craft sinks after hitting underwater object off Pengerang