HMCS Winnipeg departs Malaysia after a week-long visit 

KUALA LUMPUR Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warship HMCS Winnipeg departed Malaysia today after a week-long visit since it arrived on Sept 14 at Port Klang.

In a statement today, the High Commission of Canada in Malaysia said Malaysia had been an excellent host throughout the visit, which also marked the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“Both countries are maritime nations sharing common values and a desire for peace, stability and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific. This was also an opportunity to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic ties and to highlight the close and growing relationship between Canada and Malaysia.

“The deployment of HMCS Winnipeg in the Indo-Pacific region is aimed at working with partner nations to enhance military cooperation and as a Pacific nation itself, Canada’s deployment of Winnipeg to this region is part of our contribution to making the world more secure and stable,” it said.

According to the statement, the visit also helped to strengthen people-to-people ties as the vessel’s sailors had the opportunity to connect not only with the Royal Malaysian Navy but also with some local communities.

“During their time here, the crew participated in several outreach events, including a session at Sunway International School and the Mah Meri residents of Kampung Orang Asli Pulau Indah where the community received contributions worth approximately RM20,000 from Boomer’s Legacy, a charitable fund named after a Canadian Armed Forces medic killed in Afghanistan,” it said.

The statement said since Winnipeg’s last visit five years ago, Canada-Malaysia ties have grown in many areas such as from trade to cultural exchanges to defence cooperation.

Canadian High Commissioner Wayne Robson remarked that “working closely with our allies and partners in the region has never been more important than it is today.”

“The visit of HMCS ship to Malaysia helps us mark the enduring relationship between Canada and Malaysia,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

The visit of HMCS Winnipeg served to support Canada’s long-standing commitment to stability and security in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo- Pacific region.

-- BERNAMA