ISTANBUL, 3 October 2026 (The Capital Post) – Malaysia has launched the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (APMM) Multi-Purpose Mission Ship 1 (MPMS 1) in Turkiye as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime enforcement capabilities.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail officiated the launch at Desan Shipyard in Istanbul on 2 October. The vessel is expected to be completed and begin its voyage to Malaysia by the end of January 2027.
The ceremony was witnessed by Turkiye’s Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Turkish Navy Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu and Desan Shipyard representative Cenk İsmail Kaptanoğlu.
The launch included a symbolic bottle-breaking ceremony using seawater brought from Malaysia before MPMS 1 was launched into the Sea of Marmara.
The project is intended to enhance APMM’s maritime assets and support a wider range of enforcement, surveillance and search-and-rescue operations. Saifuddin said the vessel’s construction was progressing ahead of schedule.
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Saifuddin also held a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart to discuss matters of mutual interest, including opportunities to expand cooperation and technology-sharing in the security and maritime sectors.
Also present were Home Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Management) Ainah binti Mohd. Soon, APMM Deputy Director-General (Logistics) Vice Admiral (M) Datuk Saiful Lizan bin Ibrahim, Economic Ministry Public Safety and Security Division Director Wan Ahmad Asmady bin Wan Md. Din, Malaysian Ambassador to Turkiye Adlan Mohd. Shaffieq and Malaysian Consul-General in Istanbul Ahmad Amiri bin Abu Bakar.
The Home Ministry said the MPMS project reflects closer Malaysia–Turkiye cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime security, industrial development and technology expertise.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), the project is expected to strengthen APMM’s operational capabilities while supporting wider strategic and industrial cooperation between Malaysia and Turkiye – The Capital Post
