MALAYSIA`S ROYAL COUPLE ARRIVE IN CARTAGENA From Muin Abdul Majid

CARTAGENA (Spain), Oct 8 (Bernama) -- King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and
Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah arrived here early Wednesday to grace the launch and
naming of Malaysia's second Scorpene submarine.

They were greeted on arrival by Deputy Defence Minister Abu Seman
Yusop, Defence Forces chief General Abdul Aziz Zainal and Navy chief
Admiral Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

Present were Spanish officials and representatives from Navantia, the
shipbuilding firm tasked with building the Royal Malaysian Navy's Scorpene
2.

Malaysia ordered two brand-new Scorpene submarines for RM3.4 billion in
2002
which are being jointly built by DCNS of France and its Spanish partner,
Navantia.

The launch and naming ceremony will take place Wednesday at the Navantia
shipyard in this port city located 450km from the Spanish capital,
Madrid.

Malaysia's first Scorpene submarine was launched in Cherbourg, France, in
October 2007.