First Amphibious Aircraft for Malaysian Maritime Agency

SUBANG, -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) today received its first amphibious Bombardier CL415 aircraft from an aircraft maker at a simple but meaningful ceremony here today. The aircraft was surrendered by Bombardier Inc Canada (specialised and amphibious aircraft) president Michelle Bourgeois to MMEA director general Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish at the old Subang airport, witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Malaysia's use of the amphibious aircraft would go down in history as the first Southeast Asian country to use an amphibious aircraft for maritime enforcement. Malaysia signed a deal with Bombardier in mid-2008 to purchase two of its CL415 amphibious aircraft, with the first aircraft delivered early this year, while the second to be delivered by end 2009. Najib, in a short speech at the handing over ceremony, said taking delivery of aircraft marked a major development for MMEA in becoming a credible maritime enforcement agency in the region.