VZCZCXRO3678
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHKL #2019 3030931
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 300931Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
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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