KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will review its standard operating procedure (SOP) on the seaworthiness and assignments of old ships, said navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany today.
Reza said this was following the sinking of the Thai navy's 35-year-old HTMS 'Sukhothai' on Sunday.
He said a review was required to avoid a similar fate happening to RMN vessels.
"Considering that 58 per cent of RMN ships are even older than HTMS 'Sukhothai', let us pray our ships would not face such incidents.
"Without action taken by the government to address the defence budget issue, the matter of obsolete assets will continue to hamper RMN in the long run."
Meanwhile, RMN conveyed its condolences to Thai navy personnel and hoped the remaining crew members would be found safe.
HTMS 'Sukhothai', which was carrying 105 sailors, developed engine failure and sank about 20 nautical miles from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province about 11.30pm on Sunday. --Bernama