HOW IT’S DONE: Jamel briefing Karim (centre) during a visit to one of the rooms in KD Mahawangsa.
KUCHING: It is rare for a navy ship to receive the world renowned 5S certification.
5S is a workplace organisation methodology based on the Japanese words ‘seiri’, ‘seiton’, ‘seiso’, ‘seiketsu’ and ‘shitsuke’.
Staff of the state’s Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) took the opportunity yesterday to visit the KD Mahawangsa, dubbed ‘The Best Damn Ship in The Navy’ and the first ever ship in the country to be accredited the 5S certification, which berthed in the city since March 2.
Headed by a member of the MPC board of directors, Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, the entourage was briefed by the ship’s commanding officer Captain Jamel Abdul Rahman on its history and how it became the first ship to be accredited with the 5S certification.
In his speech to welcome the visitors, Jamel said the effort to turn the ship into an example for other ships was an effort of its crew and the accreditation made after only one audit session.
“We are proud that we were able to turn the ship in accordance to all the requirements for 5S which stands for sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain to result in a conducive working environment,” Jamel said.
“The philosophy of ‘first class crew, world class people’ was a trait of all crew members who showed their support, commitment and readiness for all operations — be they in national or international waters.”
He revealed that the ship had been involved in various rescue and humanity missions such as the tsunami disaster in Acheh in 2004, and in rescuing a ship owned by Malaysian Ship Corporation (MSC) in the Gulf of Eden.
The ship’s crew were responsible for foiling the attempt to hijack MT Nautica tanker ship in Johor Bahru last year, and involved in various other humanity missions.
With a length of 103 metres, width 15 metres and depth of 8 levels, KD Mahawangsa was commissioned to the Royal Malaysian Navy on May 16, 1983 as a multi-purpose command support ship.
The 5S certification obtained earlier this year following a three-month audit session by MPC was the second certification for the ship after obtaining the MS ISO 9001: 2008 and OHSAS 18001:2007.
KD Mahawangsa arrived at Pending Port and will sail for the Navy base in Lumut, Perak today.