KUCHING: The natural depth of the Muara Tebas coastline can accommodate navy ships up to 120 metres in length and potentially submarines, once the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) fourth naval regional headquarters (Mawilla 4) is built.
RMN chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain said that Muara Tebas is naturally suitable for Sarawak’s first naval base as it does not require intensive dredging, unlike many other coastal areas in the state.
“It offers a natural depth of 14 metres, which is sufficient to accommodate ships between 100 and 120 metres in length,” he said when met by reporters.
He was speaking at a press conference following a site visit with Chief of Defence Force Gen Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Datuk Hussain, and Demak Laut assemblyman Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni this morning (Mar 24).
On whether Muara Tebas is suitable for submarines, Zulhelmy said there should be no issue for submarines to enter as a transit stop.
“However, using it as a forward operating base for submarines is a possibility we are considering.
“We are also assessing our ports to determine their suitability. If submarines can dock here for resupply and other operations, we will make it happen,” he said.
Last Sunday, Mohd Nizam confirmed that Mawilla 4 would be built in Muara Tebas instead of Bintulu.
He added that the naval base would be developed as a modern facility.
“It will not be like the main base in Lumut, which is much larger. The size, personnel, and equipment here will be different,” he said.
