KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of two United States Navy vessels at the North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang was a routine port of call for logistical purposes before the vessels continued their voyage.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic) said the USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa had docked at the terminal from March 14 to 16.
“Such visits by foreign naval ships to Malaysian ports are not new and have long been part of international maritime practices and defence relations.
“These port calls serve as a form of defence diplomacy aimed at fostering confidence-building while safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said the primary purpose of a port of call is to enable vessels to meet logistical needs, including resupplying, minor maintenance and providing rest for crew members.
“Malaysia has clear policies and procedures governing the presence of foreign naval ships at its commercial ports and naval bases.
“Any request to dock must be submitted through official channels and is subject to approval by the government.
“Such port calls occur regularly, involving naval vessels from various countries, including partners and other nations passing through Malaysian waters such as the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea,” he added.
Such visits are often linked to bilateral or multilateral exercises, as well as international missions aimed at ensuring regional stability and global peace, in line with the Defence White Paper, Mohamed Khaled added.
“Last year, Malaysia recorded 75 port calls by foreign naval vessels from 14 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, France, Singapore and the United States,” he said.
