KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy has successfully refloated KD Pendekar, which was previously reported to have sunk in August.
In a statement, the navy announced that the vessel was successfully refloated at 4.38pm yesterday and is currently undergoing preliminary repairs before being handed back to the navy.
"The salvage operation of KD Pendekar has essentially been completed despite some challenges.
"The site where the vessel sank has now been confirmed as safe, with no remaining ammunition or explosives that could pose a threat to the safety of maritime communities, especially those frequently using the waters," it said.
The navy added that the cause and factors involved in the incident are still under investigation by its Board of Inquiry.
Meanwhile, the future of the 45-year-old vessel will be decided in conjunction with the "Phasing In – Phasing Out" plan for ageing ships still in service, aligned with the Royal Malaysian Navy's 15to5 Transformation Plan.
On Aug 25, KD Pendekar reportedly sank at 3.54pm, two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusup, Johor.