A look into HMCS Winnipeg’s visit to Malaysia

COMMEMORATING 65 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Canada, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg made a week-long port visit to our shores this month. It is part of its commitment to sustain vibrant partnerships in Asean and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“Malaysia has been a very good host to the fleet as a maritime nation, but sadly it coincided with our national state of mourning,” said Canadian High Commissioner H.E. Wayne Robson relating the period of visit with the demise of Queen Elizabeth II.

“Nevertheless, the visit has still been closely observed to strengthen trade and cultural exchanges, defense cooperation as well as people-to-people ties."

“Essentially the ship is on what we call an operation projection where it is a chance for us to be with partner nations, specifically Asean nation,” highlighted Canadian Defence Advisor to Malaysia, Lieutenant Colonel Jason King.

“So HMCS Winnipeg has sailed along with a Malaysian ship, and my role was to work closely with the Canadian High Commission, the local Royal Malaysian Navy as well as the Canadian Navy for this recent visit to ensure the engagement is able to be carried out accordingly. 

“Planning began soonest as we started talking to the Malaysian navy about a month prior to the ship’s visit.

“The purpose of operation projection is to provide consistent and persistent presence here within the region, helping our allies with the security and stability aspect through these exercises,” added Robson. He noted that the Malaysian counterpart has been positively responsive.

People-to-people engagements

Thirty HMCS Winnipeg sailors, including commander Annick Fortin, chief petty officer first class Susan Frisby, as well as the high commissioner himself visited the indigenous Mah Meri village in Pulau Indah.

A contribution of approximately RM20,000 from Boomer’s Legacy helped fund equipment and technology for the local community centre. 

A team of sailors from the Winnipeg painted the centre’s walls while others interacted with local children, including by playing takraw. 

Boomer’s Legacy is a charitable fund named after Corporal Andrew ‘Boomer’ Eykelenboom, a dedicated soldier and a Canadian Armed Forces medic killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. It aims to empower all deployed Canadian Armed Forces soldiers, sailors, aviators and airwomen by raising and providing charitable funds, thus helping them to help others.

Building resilience

“The straits of Malacca is a very busy waterway. So going through that alone the crew really have to focus and have to be trained in commanding a ship that size to avoid potential accidents,” said King on the resilience required of a professional.

Being away from loved ones is another aspect of emotional discipline practiced by the armed forces in serving the nation.

“I used to say that the idea of deployment (and being away from family) was harder to understand back in the day. But I think today more and more of the public understand what the kind of isolation these crew members have to deal with after the period of Covid,” shared Robson.

“The pandemic has obviously allowed us, in general, to take the opportunity and reflect on how can one make the best of the period that you are granted with the people you are with, stay within your contingent and keep everyone safe and yet at the same time celebrate connection with your family back home,” he added.

HMCS Winnipeg last made a visit here about five years ago. This year (after Malaysia), it will continue its course on to Cambodia, and finally Thailand for similar engagements. Previously it had docked in Indonesia and Singapore. – The Vibes, September 27, 2022