KD Lekir Wraps Up Australian Mission With Jakarta Stop On Way Home

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, April 28 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir is temporarily docked at Tanjung Priok port here, on its return voyage to Malaysia after completing a series of naval exercises in Australia.

KD Lekir's commanding officer, Commander Megat Mohamad Sofwan Megat Mohamad Yunus, said the ship docked on Sunday after wrapping up its 67-day LEKIR Australia Deployment 2026 (LEAD '26) and will head back to Lumut, Perak, tomorrow.

“We expect the trip to take four days and arrive in time for the 2026 Fleet Open Day celebrating the RMN anniversary,” he told Bernama today.

The 2026 Fleet Open Day at Lumut naval base from May 1 to 3 celebrates RMN’s 92nd anniversary.

Since arriving in Indonesia's capital, Megat Mohamad Sofwan said, RMN has held events with the Indonesian Navy to strengthen ties and regional cooperation.

“Yesterday, we held a reception aboard KD Lekir for the RMN anniversary. Today we visited an Indonesian Navy ship and held joint sports activities.

“As we know, the RMN and Indonesian Navy enjoy close diplomatic ties, long nurtured as kindred nations,” he said.

LEAD '26, Megat Mohamad Sofwan said, not only boosts the ship's operational capabilities but also strengthens regional defence cooperation.

“This deployment gave the entire KD Lekir crew invaluable experience, especially in strengthening operational readiness and building ties with international naval partners,” he said.

KD Lekir recently joined key drills, namely KAKADU 2026 in Darwin and Sydney (from March to early April, the International Fleet Review 125 in Sydney, and Malaysia-Australia Exercise (MASTEX) 2026 in Perth from April 14 to 20.

Megat Mohamad Sofwan said joint exercises, including with the Indonesian Military's KRI Radin Eddy Martadinata, reflect the close ties between the RMN and Indonesian Navy.

“RMN and Indonesian Navy cooperation keeps growing stronger through joint exercises and professional exchanges like these, sharpening both sides' operational skills while building closer bonds between personnel,” he said, adding that the relationship reflects the strong mutual trust between Malaysia and Indonesia in safeguarding regional maritime security and stability.

“This shows that Malaysia-Indonesia relations remain strong, not only at the diplomatic level but also through our ongoing military cooperation,” he said.

KD Lekir departed from Lumut on Feb 26, stopping at key spots in Australia before arriving in Jakarta this April on its return journey, set to wrap up on April 29.

During the mission, he said the crew celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Jervis Bay early this month and hosted a reception in Sydney, showcasing Malaysia's commitment to friendship and defence diplomacy on the world stage.

-- BERNAMA