No need to speculate US warship collision - Reezal Merican

All quarters should wait for the outcome of the investigation and not jump to conclusion over yesterday's maritime accident involving a United States warship which collided with a merchant vessel in Ramunia Bay waters, said Foreign Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

He said there was no need to speculate on the accident which resulted in 10 sailors missing and five others injured.

"We do not issue anything that is speculative in nature. We need to wait for the conclusive investigation on what really happened before issuing any statement," he told reporters after launching the Cultural Appreciation Day 2017 organised by the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, here, Sunday.

Reezal Merican was commenting on the collision between US guided-missile destroyer John S. McCain and an oil tanker, 4.5 nautical miles from Ramunia Bay at 5.30am yesterday.

The Cultural Appreciation Day organised by the institute is a platform for guests and participants to learn and appreciate cultural differences, bridge the cultural gap, as well as promote cultural diplomacy.

-- BERNAMA