KUALA LUMPUR (May 13): Malaysia is considering legal recourse after the delivery of missiles for its Navy was blocked by Norway, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The government could not accept the reasons provided by the Norwegian government as the contract for the missiles had been signed eight years ago with all contractual payments made on time, said Datuk Fahmi Fadzil in a live Facebook broadcast on Wednesday.

“In addition, the Malaysian government is also considering appropriate follow-up action,” he said.

The Cabinet has been informed on the matter by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after his discussion with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, according to Fahmi.

The remarks come after Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin disclosed the disruption to the delivery of missiles ordered in 2018 for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s littoral combat ships.

The halted shipment involved missiles also intended for existing naval ships KD Jebat and KD Lekiu, Mohamed Khaled was quoted as saying. The delivery, originally scheduled for March, was halted after Norwegian authorities declined to issue the export licence only days before shipment.

Fahmi stressed on Wednesday that strategic national interests would not be compromised in any manner.