1966 : KD TEMASEK (CMDR CHARLES THONG YIN SIN)

This photograph captures a significant moment in the history of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), specifically on July 4, 1966.

The men are pictured on the deck of KD Temasek, a Ham-class inshore minesweeper. This image is especially poignant as it was taken during the final year of the ship's service and at the conclusion of the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation (Konfrontasi).

Historical Context & Details

• The Vessel: Originally built for the British Royal Navy as HMS Brantingham (M2612), the ship was transferred to the Royal Malayan Navy on November 1, 1958, and renamed HMMS Temasek (later KD Temasek after Malaysia's formation).

• The Era: In 1966, the RMN was undergoing rapid "Malaysianisation"—transitioning from British-led command to local leadership. The crew shown represents the early generation of Malaysian sailors who took over operational responsibilities following the withdrawal of the Royal Navy.

• The Credit: The photo is credited to Cmdr (Rtd) Charles Thong Yin Sin, a pioneer in the RMN. He was the first Malayan to reach the rank of Lieutenant (1959) and notably served as the Commanding Officer (CO) of KD Temasek starting in January 1962.

Ship Specifications (Ham-class)

Feature	Details
Type	Inshore Minesweeper (often used for coastal patrol)
Displacement	120 tons (standard)
Length	32.5 meters
Armament	Typically 1 x 40mm Bofors or 20mm Oerlikon cannon
Fate	Decommissioned and broken up for scrap later in 1966

The lifebuoy in the foreground clearly displays the ship's name, which is the incient name for Singapore (Temasek), reflecting the shared naval history of the region before Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965.

Commander Charles Thong Yin Sin was a pivotal figure in the early history of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). His career is marked by several "firsts" for the nation's naval service.

Commander Charles Thong Yin Sin's Naval Career

• Pioneer Entry: He joined the Royal Malayan Navy in June 1954 and was the first Malayan Executive Branch officer to undergo five years of intensive training across five continents, including instriction at the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth, England.
• Historical Milestone: On August 16, 1959, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, making him the first Malayan to reach that rank in the RMN.

Command Roles: 

• HMMS Sri Johor: In December 1959, he served as the Executive Officer (second in command).
• KD Jerai: In April 1964, he was selected as the first Commanding Officer of the "Ton" class coastal minesweeper KD Jerai and sailed the vessel from the UK to Malaysia.
• KD Temasek: He was the Commanding Officer of KD Temasek starting in January 1962.

• Special Assignments: He led the Naval Platoon during the Merdeka Day Parade in 1957 and commanded the naval party for the state funeral of the first Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 1960.
• Specialization: He qualified as a Navigation Specialist in 1962

Ham-Class Inshore Minesweepers

The RMN operated several Ham-class vessels, which were originally British inshore minesweepers. They were constructed with wood and non-magnetic composite materials to safely navigate minefields.

Ship Name	Former RN Name	Service Details
KD Temasek	HMS Brantingham	Acquired 1958; decommissioned 1966.
KD Sri Johor	HMS Altham	Acquired 1958; decommissioned 1967.
KD Sri Perlis	HMS Asheldham	Acquired 1958; decommissioned 1967.
KD Langkasuka	HMS Bedham	Acquired 1958; decommissioned 1967.
KD Jerong	HMS Boreham	Acquired 1966; decommissioned 1973.
KD Todak	HMS Felmersham	Acquired 1966; decommissioned 1973.

Key Characteristics:

• Crew: Typically 15 (2 officers and 13 ratings).

• Armament: Usually equipped with one 40mm Bofors gun or 20mm Oerlikon cannons.

• Role Change: While designed for minesweeping, several were later utilized as coastal patrol craft after their sweeping gear was removed.

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9/1/2026: 10.09 a.m