Pirates of the Gulf of Aden

The hostage situation involving two MISC ships are still unresolved. Negotiations with the Somali pirates are still on-going. The United States meanwhile is also helping out to resolve the crisis.

The Malaysian Royal Navy has sent in three vessels including a frigate, F30 KD Lekiu, to the troubled waters to provide security cover for Malaysian ships sailing the Gulf of Aden. Nonetheless, all MISC ships are still prohibited from going through the pirate-infested waters until security is improved.

My family and I are hoping that things are well with my brother's ship, Bunga Melati Tujuh, remains safe. While his ship is not involved in the current crisis, it is still worrying because the ship is near the pirates' den.

As a side note, F30 KD Lekiu was one of two frigates (the other being F29 KD Jebat) built by Yarrow Shipbuilders UK based in Glasgow in the 1990s. I remember pretty well the launching of these two frigates because I was in Glasgow when the two frigates were built and eventually launched. I even had the pleasure of knowing some of the Malaysian navy personnel who was involved with the project, some of whom remained as friends till today.

F29 KD Jebat was launched in December 1994 while F30 KD Lekiu in May 1995. Remembering back, the launches of these two frigates were indeed something to be proud of. And knowing that one of the frigates is assigned to protect Malaysian ships makes me feel prouder still.