Canadian warship to make first port call to Sabah to strengthen diplomatic ties
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 12 — The Royal Canadian Navy vessel HMCS Ottawa is making a port call here next month for the very first time as part of its ongoing Indo-Pacific strategy to strengthen diplomatic ties with the region.
Canadian High Commission to Malaysia’s political counsellor Robert Bissett said that the Japan-based warship will be making a four-day stopover from October 11 to the 14 for the first time to support its government effort of engagement with the region.
Previously, HMCS Ottawa and other Canadian warships like the HMCS Winnipeg had called on West Malaysian ports like Port Klang and Penang.
The captain and crew of the Halifax-class frigate will be conducting various community engagement programmes including a media tour and conference, a reception, high-level meetings, talks, and a community outreach programme to a local indigenous community.
“We will host a reception on the night of the 11th with invited guests, and we will also be visiting a community centre in Kampung Nagasiba in Penampang, as well as an introduction session to the cadets in Universiti Malaysia Sabah,” he said.
Canadian High Commission to Malaysia’s political counsellor Robert Bissett (right) said the Japan-based warship will be making a four-day stopover for the first time to support its government effort of engagement with the region. — Picture courtesy of
Bissett, who met up with members of the media here along with defence attache Lieutenant Col Derek Mattinen said that there were also plans for engagement with the Royal Malaysian Navy during the trip.
The crew will also be able to embark on local tourist attractions during the four-day stopover.
“We hope this visit to Kota Kinabalu will further demonstrate our good faith towards our partnerships in Asean and the Indo-Pacific region,” said Bissett.
The vessel was in the news recently for coming in close quarters to Chinese warships when it “conducted a “routine’ transit” along with American guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson along the Taiwan Strait last Saturday.
Three Chinese vessels, armed with missiles and torpedoes shadowed the HMCS Ottawa during its entire 17-hour crossing, reported international media.
China had reportedly condemned the transit, accusing the ships of carrying out ‘public hyping’ in the strait, which separates Chinese-claimed Taiwan from China.
The vessel is scheduled to visit Kota Kinabalu after its stopover in the Philippines and before heading to Singapore.
