MALAYSIA UPDATE ON DPRK VESSEL BONG HOA SAN

S E C R E T KUALA LUMPUR 002019

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2026
TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC EWWT XC KN MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA UPDATE ON DPRK VESSEL BONG HOA SAN

REF: A. STATE 179243

B. STATE 179928

C. KUALA LUMPUR 2012

D. REED-SHEAR EMAIL OF 10/30/06

Classified By: DCM DAVID B. SHEAR, REASONS 1.4 (b, d).


1. (S) Summary: After Post conducted follow up demarches
with Malaysia's Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister's
Department, the GOM informed us it had issued an instruction
October 30 to board and inspect the Bong Hoa San if the
vessel called at Malaysia's Port Klang, as indicated by
information from Singapore. Authorities in Port Klang
reportedly have no docking request from the North Korean
vessel. Malaysia dispatched an aircraft to locate the
vessel, but poor visibility prevented a sighting as of late
afternoon October 30. End Summary.


2. (S) Following delivery on October 27 of ref A demarche
regarding the Bong Hoa San, DCM followed up with Foreign
Ministry Acting Under Secretary for the Americas Azlan Man on
Sunday, October 29, and again on October 30 and reinforced
ref A and B requests to the GOM.


3. (S) On October 30, Polcouns also delivered ref A and B
demarches to Abdul Rahim Hussin, Maritime Security Policy
Director, National Security Division (NSD),Prime Minister's
Department. In addition, we shared with Hussin information
received from Embassy Singapore regarding the North Korean
vessel's reported plan to call at Malaysia's Port Klang later
on October 30, per radio communication between the vessel and
the Singapore Port Authority (ref D). We noted that Malaysia
had inspected this same vessel in the past according to
information available at Post. Hussin stated that, in his
view, Malaysia should carry out an inspection of the vessel
using the rationale of maritime safety, considering that the
vessel did not employ an Automated Identification Signal
(AIS). The inspection could provide Malaysian authorities
with a means to gather intelligence regarding the vessel, to
include crew, shipping certificates and possible cargo.
Subsequently, Hussin's deputy, Commander Azahar, informed
Polcouns that the NSD had issued an instruction to the
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA, Malaysia's coast
guard),Customs and the Port Authority at Port Klang to board
and inspect the Bong Hoa San if or when it called at Port
Klang. (Note: We have no further indication or confirmation
that the Bong Hoa San intends to dock at Port Klang, and port
authorities there reportedly have no request from the North
Korean vessel. End Note.)


4. (S) Separately, DAO contacts confirmed October 30 that
the Malaysian Air Force dispatched an aircraft to attempt to
sight and track the North Korean vessel. Poor visibility due
to weather conditions and lack of sophisticated technology,
however, had thwarted the Malaysian Air Force mission, which
had not sighted the Bong Hoa San as of late afternoon October

30. DAO has remained in frequent contact with Malaysian
defense and maritime security agencies concerning the Bong
Hoa San.
LAFLEUR