IN MEMORY : RMN SHIPS

1934 : HMS LABURNUM

• An Acacia-class sloop that played a fascinating role in naval history across three different regions: the U.K, New Zealand and Singapore. 
• Launched in June 1915 during World War I.
• 1922-1934: Patrolled the Pacific Islands and New Zealand ports. 
• 1935: transferred to the Straits Settlements Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSRNVR) at Telok Air Basin, Singapore
• 15 February 1942, she was sunk by the British to prevent her from being captured and used by the Japanese. 

1949 : HMS LABURNUM

• Ex-Japanese Minelayer Wakataka.
• In September 1949, she was officially assigned to the newly created Malayan Naval Force and was renamed HMS Laburnum, to carry on the tradition of the orinila HMS Laburnum which was sunk in 1942.
• In 1963, she was renamed KD Singapura and eventually served as the first headquaters for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSS Singpura) before being scrapped in 1967.  

1949 : SEAWARD DEFENCE MOTOR LAUNCHES (SDMLs)

• The backbone of the Malayan Naval Force starting in 1949.
• Originally built as Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDMLs) for the Royal Navy, these wooden-hulled vessels were essential for coastal security during Malaya's formative years. 
• Armament: a pair of 20mm Oerlikon cannons. 

1949: HMS PANGLIMA

• A 27.4 meter Motor Fishing Vessel, built in England during WW2 and transferred to Singapore to replace the first HMS Panglima which was sunk by the Japanese Bomber in 1942. 
• 1949: It served the Malayan Naval Force (MNF) which had just been officially gazetted in March 1949. 

1949 : HMS PELANDOK

• 8 April 1949: HMS Pelandok was officially commissioned into the newly formed Malayan Naval Force (MNF). 
• A Landing Craft Gun (Large) (LCG 450) equipped with two 4.7 inch guns.
• The name was a tribute to the original HMS Pelandok, a shore establishment in Singapore that had been destroyed during the World War II. 
• During the early state of Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), HMS Pelandok was used for coastal patrols and to bombard communist insurgent positions near the coast, preventing supplies from reaching them by sea. 
• IN 1958, she was renamed HMMS Sri Perlis before being decommissioned. 

1949 : HMS TEST (K239)

• Became the centerpiece and first major vassel of the newly formed Malayan Naval Force (MNF). 
• Launched in 1942, she served the Royal Navy during World War II, was transferred to Royal Indian Navy as HMIS Neza (1946-1947). 
• HMS Test was only loan to the MNF for a short time (she was returnd and eventually scrapped in 1955). 

Ship Name	Type & Description	Historical Note
HMMS Sri Melaka (1957)	Landing Craft Tank (LCT)	Originally a British Mk III LCT (LCT 341), she was renamed HMS Pelandok and later HMMS Sri Melaka. Used for logistics and training.
HMMS Seri Johor (1958)	Coastal Minelayer	A Blackbird-class (Bird controlled) minelayer. Formerly HMMS Penyu and HMS Dabchick. She was briefly the largest fighting ship in the fleet before being transferred to Sri Lanka in late 1958.
HMMS Sri Kelantan (P3508) - 1958	Seaward Defence Motor Launch (SDML)	A 72-foot ML 1000-class motor launch. These were the "workhorses" of the navy, tasked with coastal patrols during the Malayan Emergency.
HMMS Sri Pahang (P3505) 1958	Seaward Defence Motor Launch (SDML)	Like the Sri Kelantan, she was an ex-Royal Navy Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) repurposed for seaward defense.

1958 : KD Langkasuka (ex-HMS Bedham) was transferred to RMN, designed as Inshore Minesweeper and were frequently used for patrol duties during the Confrontation in 1960's. The ship was decommissioned around 1967. 

20 MAY 1961 - KD MUTIARA

• The first KD Mutiara, a patrol vessel
• The first RMN ship to used the prefix "K.D" (Kapal DiRaja). 

1960'S - RMN PATROL CRAFT

During the 1960's, Malaysia focused heavily on coastal defense, leading to the acquistition of versatile Patrol Craft belong primarily to Kedah-class, Kris-class and Sabah -class. 

1963: MINE COUNTERMEASURES VESSEL (MCMV)

The backbone of Malaysia's mine warfare capability in the 1960's was the British-built-Ton-class.

Vessel Name	Pennant Number	Original Royal Navy Name	RMN Commission Year
KD Mahamiru	M1127	HMS Darlaston	1960
KD Ledang	M1143	HMS Hexton	1963
KD Kinabalu	M1134	HMS Essington	1964
KD Jerai	M1168	HMS Dilston	1964
KD Brinchang	M1172	HMS Thankerton	1966
KD Tahan	M1163	HMS Lullington	1966

1964 : KD HANG TUAH (F433)

• Ex-HMS Loch Insh, a British Loch-class frigate, involved in the sinking of two German U-boats (U-307 and U-286) in April 1945. 
• 2 October 1964: she was commissioned into RMN and was renamed KD Hang Tuah. 
• The ship was scrapped and decommissioned in 1977 and was replaced by the second KD Hang Tuah (F76), ex-HMS Mermaid. 

KD HANG TUAH (F76) - EX-HMS MERMAID

1968 : KD PERANTAU (THE FIRST)

• The first KD Perantau was commissioned, a converted Ton-class Coastal Minesweeper (formerly HMS Myrmidon) transferred from the Royal Navy.
• It was decommissioned in 1990, replaced by the new KD Perantau (A151) that was commissioned on 12 October 1998. 

1970's : The 32nd Sealift Squadron was a vital component of the Royal Malaysia Navy during the 70's and early 80's. Based at Woodlands, Singapore, it played a crucial role in maintaining the connection between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) during a period of significant regional tension. 

Consist of three World War II - era Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels acquired from the United States. 

As 2026, all the three LST's have been decommissioned. The RMN's Sealift and Command tasks are handled by the Multi-Purpose Command and Support Ships (MPCSS), such as KD Sri Indera Sakti (A1503) and KD Mahawangsa (A1504), while another ship KD Sri Inderapura (A1505), was destroyed by a fire in 2009 and was decommissioned later. 

Ship Name	Pennant	Former Name (US Navy)	Commissioned (RMN)
KD Sri Langkawi	A1500	USS Hunterdon County	1 July 1971
KD Sri Banggi	A1501	USS Henry County	1 October 1976
KD Raja Jarom	A1502	USS Sedgwick County	1 August 1976

1971: KD DUYONG (A1109) - a 120-ton diving tender, commissioned in RMN on January 1971. She served as the backbone of the RMN Diving unit until the late 1990's. 

1972: KD RAHMAT (F24)

• The first purpose-built warship for the Royal Malaysian Navy and pioneer in Southeast Asia.
• It was commissioned in UK in September 1971, made it grand entrance into Malaysian waters and services in 1972. 
• The first ship in Southeast Asia to be equipped with a surface-to-air-missile system (the British Sea Cat).
• Originally ordered as KD Hang Jebat, after several technical issues during her early sea trials, it was decided to rename her to KD Rahmat, meaning "Blessing" for better luck before she officially entered service. 
• KD Rahmat was decommissioned in 2004. For several years she served as a popular floating museum in Lumut, Perak. 
• Sadly, time and the elements took their toll. In 2017 and 2018, the ship suffered major hull leaks and began to sink at her moorings. Because the damage was too extensive to repair, the ship was eventually scrapped in 2018.

1977 : KD MUTIARA

• Commissioned on 18 December 1977 at Hong Leong-Lurssen Shipyard in Butterworth, Pulau Pinang.
• A legendary hydrographic survey vessel of the Royal Malaysian Navy. 
• The first survey ship built locally in Malaysia. 
• Throughout her career, she sailed over 223,000 km (6 times around the world) and completed 146 hydrographic orders, leading to the creation of over 50 Nautical charts. 
• In 2014, she was deployed to the Southern Indian Ocean to assist in the search for the missing MH 370. 
• 20 July 2018: KD Mutiara was decommissioned after 41 years in service. 

1995: KD SRI INDERAPURA (A1505) an ex USS Spantanburg County (LST-1192) was commissioned into RMN on January 31,1995.Served as a vital logistic and transport hub, participating in humanitarian missions and anti-piracy operations such as Ops Fajar in the Gulf of Aden. 

The ship's career ended when she was marked by two major fires. The first in 2002 (repaired) and the second devastating fire on October 8, 2009, which caused irreparable damage. It was officially decommissioned on 21 January 2010. 

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

4/2/2026: 9.06 p.m

BOOKS OF REFERENCE

A collection of essential maritime and military communication manuals. These "Books of Reference" (BRs) and Allied Communications/Tactical Publications (ACPs/ATPs) form the backbone of naval operations, standardized across the Royal Navy and NATO allies.

Here is a breakdown of the specific manuals in your collection:

1. International & Allied Communication Procedures

These manuals ensure that different nations can talk to each other using standardized codes and signals.

• ACP 131(F): Communications Instructions - Operating Signals
• Purpose: Contains the "Q" and "Z" signal codes used to shorten transmissions and overcome language barriers in military radio and telegraphy.
• ACP 124(D): Communications Instructions - Radio Telegraphy Procedure
• Purpose: Provides the specific "how-to" for manual Morse code and radiotelegraphy, ensuring every operator follows the same rhythmic and structural rules.

2. NATO Tactical & Maneuvering Standards

These are the "playbooks" for fleet movements at sea.

• ATP-01, Volume II: Allied Maritime Tactical Signal and Maneuvering Book
• Purpose: This is perhaps the most famous manual for a Signalman. It contains the meanings for flag hoists and Morse light signals used to coordinate complex maneuvers (like turning a whole fleet at once) without using radios that might be intercepted by an enemy.

3. Royal Navy Regulations & Seamanship

These books focus on the internal governance of the British fleet and the practical skills required of a sailor.

• BR 2: The Queen’s Regulations for the Royal Navy
• Purpose: The legal and administrative framework of the Navy. It covers everything from the chain of command and uniforms to discipline and ceremonial duties. (Note: Since the ascension of King Charles III, this is now referred to as The King's Regulations).
• Admiralty Manual of Seamanship (Volume I)
• Purpose: The definitive guide to practical "sailor-proofing." It covers ropework, knots, anchor handling, boatwork, and safety at sea. Volume I is typically the foundation for junior ratings and officers.

Summary Table

Manual Code	Title	Core Focus
ACP 131	Operating Signals	Standardized "Z" and "Q" codes.
ACP 124	Radio Telegraphy	Procedures for Morse/Telegraphy.
ATP-01	Tactical & Maneuvering	Flag signals and fleet movements.
BR 2	Queen's Regulations	Navy law, discipline, and administration.
Admiralty	Manual of Seamanship	Practical maritime skills and knots.

Google Gemini AI

4/2/2026: 10.09 a.m

1985: KD MUTIARA & INDIAN OCEAN

Those are some fantastic archival shots of the KD Mutiara (A155). Seeing her navigate those massive swells in the Indian Ocean really drives home the demanding nature of hydrographic work.

As a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) survey ship, she wasn't just sailing; she was the "eyes" of the fleet, mapping the seabed to ensure everyone else could travel safely.

The Vessel: KD Mutiara (A155)

Launched in the late 1970s, the KD Mutiara was the flagship of the RMN's hydrographic efforts for decades. These photos from 1985 likely capture her during a period of significant international cooperation and deep-sea charting.

• Role: Hydrographic Survey Vessel.
• Squadron: 36th Hydrographic Squadron.
• Key Features: You can see the large crane and specialized deck space used for deploying sonar equipment, survey launches, and buoy handling.

The 1985 Mission: "Passage to India"

The text in your collage mentions a passage to India and the Republic of Maldives. This was a significant diplomatic and technical mission.

• Challenging Waters: The bottom-right image perfectly illustrates why the Indian Ocean is legendary among sailors. Navigating those "heavy seas" requires a sturdy hull and a very disciplined crew, especially when trying to maintain the steady course needed for accurate depth sounding.

Legacy of the "Pearl"

Mutiara means "Pearl" in Malay, and she certainly lived up to the name by providing invaluable data for Malaysia's maritime charts. After nearly 40 years of service, she was finally decommissioned in 2018, marking the end of an era for the 36th Squadron.

INDIAN OCEAN

The images of the KD Mutiara provide a vivid window into the power of the Indian Ocean, the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions. It is an ocean defined by extremes—stunning biodiversity, historical trade routes, and some of the most challenging weather systems on the planet.

Here is a look at what makes this body of water so unique:

1. The "Monsoon" Ocean

Unlike the Atlantic or Pacific, the Indian Ocean is landlocked to the north by Asia. This creates a unique atmospheric engine:

• The Reversing Current: It is the only ocean where the surface currents change direction twice a year. In summer, the "Southwest Monsoon" blows moist air toward India; in winter, the "Northeast Monsoon" brings dry air back.
• Sailing History: Ancient traders (like those in the Maldives and Malaysia) used these predictable winds to travel thousands of miles in wooden dhows, timing their voyages perfectly with the seasons.

2. A Hub of Global Energy

The Indian Ocean is the "interstate highway" of the global economy.

• Choke Points: It contains vital maritime passages like the Strait of Malacca (near Malaysia) and the Strait of Hormuz.
• Oil & Gas: Nearly 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from this region. This is why hydrographic survey missions, like the one the KD Mutiara conducted in 1985, are so critical—they ensure these multi-billion dollar trade lanes are safe from underwater hazards.

3. Extraordinary Geography

• The Java Trench: Reaching depths of over 7,000 meters, this is the deepest point in the Indian Ocean.
• The "M" Shape: If you look at a map, the ocean forms a giant "M" between the East African coast, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the western coast of Australia.
• Marine Life: It is home to roughly 25% of the world's coral reefs, particularly around the Maldives and Seychelles, though these are currently under threat from rising water temperatures.

Comparison: Indian Ocean vs. Others

Feature	Indian Ocean	Atlantic Ocean	Pacific Ocean
Size Ranking	3rd Largest	2nd Largest	1st Largest
Max Depth	~7,290m (Sunda Trench)	~8,376m (Puerto Rico)	~10,935m (Mariana)
Key Feature	Reversing Monsoons	Gulf Stream	"Ring of Fire"
Temperature	Warmest overall	Moderate	Varied

Note: Because the Indian Ocean is the warmest of the three major oceans, it is particularly sensitive to climate change. This warmth fuels more intense tropical cyclones, which explains the "heavy seas" visible in your 1985 photos.

Google Gemini AI

4/2/2026: 8.03 a.m

ONCE UPON A TIME

Hotel Merlin, Kuala Lumpur

The hotel opened its doors in the same year gained independence. For decades, it was a place to be seen, hosting royalty, celebrities and even Michael Jackson during his 1996 world tour. 

After ovr 30 years as the Merlin, it was sold and rebranded as the Concorde Hotel.

SELANGOR TURF CLUB

A major landmark in Malaysia horse racing history, with a legacy spanning over 130 years. Founded in 1896, the club was originally established under the patronage of the British Resident of Selangor. 

The club occupied 100 acres of prime land where the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC Park stand today. The last race at the Jalan Ampang was held in August 1992.  The Club moved to its current home in Sungei Besi (near Serdang Raya/Seri Kembangan). It officially opened there in April 1994. 

Dredge Ship or "Kapal Korek", a 4,500 ton floating factory and the last of its kind is at the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No 5 affectionately known as TT5. 

Hundreds of these giants once roared across the Kinta Valley, TT5 is the final survivor or an era that literally built the foundation of modern Malaysia.

The Tin Dredge built in England in 1938 by F.W. Payne & Son. After 44 years years of service, it finally stopped its buckets in 1982 when the global tin market collapsed and deposits began to dry up. 

Today, it serves as a museum in Batu Gajah, Perak allowing people to wal through its iron belly and experience the grift of the industry that turned Ipoh into the "City of Millionaires". 

SYARIKAT KOPI HAJI ARSHAD

A well-known coffee merchant in the 1970's, located at Taman Greenwood, Batu Caves, Selangor. The "Motorcycle Brand", in those days many local coffee roasters used simple, relatable icons, The motorcycle logo is because the founder of Kopi Arshad used to sell coffee around homes and villages on a motorcycle. My family and I lived in Greenwood Park from 1970 to 1979.

AMPANG PARK, KUALA LUMPUR

As the country's first-ever shopping mall (opened in 1973), it wasn't just a building, it was as landmark that defined the Jalan Ampang skyline for decades before the Petronas Twin Towers even existed. 

Sadly, the Ampang Park closed its doors on 31 December 2017 to make way for the Ampang Park MRT station. The demolition process happened in stages throughout 2018. While the physical building is gone, it remains a "first love" for many KLites who grew up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

CARREFOUR HYPERMARKET

Carrefour entered Malaysia in 1994 via its subsidiary, Magnificent Diagraph Sdn Bhd. It was one of the first international retailers to introduce the hypermarkat forat to Malaysians, combining a supermarket and Department Store under one roof. It was then the fourth-largest retailer in the country, competing with Giant and Tesco. 

On 1 November 2012, the Japanese retail giant AEON Co.Ltd announced it had acquired 100% of Carrefour Malaysia. Following the takeover, all Carrefour stores were rebranded as AEON Big,  a separate entity from the existing "AEON" (formerly JUSCO) department stores already operating in Malaysia. 

ESSO & MOBIL MALAYSIA

Esso fueled Malaysia for over 100 years, the first Esso Service station was opened in Kuala Lumpur in 1921 at Foch Avenue (now Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) under the name Stanvac (Standard-Vacuum Oil Company). Esso Standard Malaysia was officially established in 1961. 

In 1999, Exxon and Mobil merged globally to form ExxonMobil in Malaysia, this brought the two rival brands under one roof.

In 2011, San Miguel Corporation (via its subsiadiary Petron Corporation) reached an agreement to buy ExxonMobil's downstream business. 

IN 2012, the acquisition was finalised. Over the next three years, more than 550 Esso and Mobil Stations were repainted and rebranded to Petron. 

PEKELILING FLATS

Also known as the Tunku Abdul Rahman Flats were a defining landmark of Kuala Lumpur's skyline for nearly 50 years. Located at the intersection of Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Pahang, built between 1964 and  1967, they were the second high-rise public housing project in KL after the Suleiman Courts. 

By 2006, it's the end of an Era where Blocks A and B were demolished first. And by 2008, the last tenants were evacuated to a new housing projects in Setapak.

2014-2015:  The remaining blocks (C-G) were finally torn down. 

HANKYU JAYA

A Japanese-Malaysian joint venture, established in March 1984, it was a collaboration involving the Japanese retail giant Hankyu. 

Hanky Jaya faced heavy competition from other rising giants like Jaya Jusco (now AEON) and Parkson. The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis dealth a final blow to many older retail chains, and Hankyu Jaya eventually exited the Malaysian Market, leaving behind only only these nostalgic photos. 

JAYA JUSCO

JUSCO (Japan United Stores Company) first established in Malaysia in 1984 and the first store opened in Dayabumi, Kuala Lumpur in 1985. The photo above taken at JUSCO Tebray City on 26 February 2012, only a few weeks after the JUSCO brand officially began its transforming into AEON in March 2012. 

Even though it’s been over a decade since the rebranding, many Malaysians still affectionately refer to the mall as "JUSCO" or "JJ."

The iconic "Rumah Biru" (Blue House) also known as Master Mat's House, located in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur. It is a symbol of the "David vs Goliath" storyof Kampung Baru, a 100-year old traditional Malay enclave that sits stubbonly in the shadow of the world's tallest skyscrapers. 

It was built in 1921 by Ahmad Mohamed, a respected headmaster of an English School in Setapak. His students and neighbours called him "Master Mat". 

Kampung Baru was gazetted as a Malay Agricultural Settlement in 1899. It is arguably the most photographed home in Malaysia and also been used as a filming location for various local dramas and films because of its unique aesthetic. 

The Klang Bus Stand in Kuala Lumpur during its heyday - a place that was the heartbeat of the city's commute for nearly four decades. 

Built in 1970's,it served as the primary terminus for buses traveling between Kuala Lumpur and the western parts of the Klang Valley.The station officially ceased operations on November 1, 2011. 

The Lee Rubber (Selangor) Ltd, Chinese (南益 - Nan Yi) which once a major landmark in the Gombak/Setapak area of Kuala Lumpur. Located near the 6th Mile of Gombak, the Lee Rubber empire founder by Lee Kong Chian often called the "Rubber King" of Southeast Asia.

This factory however closed its doors in the early 2000's to make way for urban development. The site has largely been redeveloped into modern commercial and residential projects such as Residensi Gombak 126 and Ong Tai KIm (OTK) Supermarkat and nearby plaza like Plaza Idaman. 

One of the massive hit of nostalgia for anyone who lived in Malaysia during the 90's and early 2000's. Makro entered Malaysian market in 1994 with its first store in Shah Alam. It was strictly Cash and Carry. 

However, in 2007, the retail landscape changed. Tesco Malaysia acquired all 8 Makros outlets in the country. The stores were rebranded as Tesco Extra. However, today, you won't find the Tesco name either. In 2020, Tesco sold its Southeast Asia business to the CP Group (a Thailand conglomerate). By 2021, all those old Makro / Tesco Extra were rebranded again as Lotus's. 

For many Malaysian, Mimaland (Malaysia in Miniature Land) is the ultimate nostalgia trip. Opened in 1971 in Gombak, it was the country's first true theme park and a massive cultural landmark before it closed its gates forever in 1994. 

A Tragedy in 1993, a Singaporean tourist tragically passed away after an accident on the giant slides. Later a minor landslide caused damage to the pool area, leading to safety concerns. While it closed for "renovations" in 1994, it never reopened, and jungle slowly reclaimed the sige. 

Today it is a popular spot for "urban explorers" and paranormal enthusiasts. The dinosaur statues are still there, hidden under thick vines and moss, looking like a real-life Jurassic Park movie set. 

The Pudu Prison, an iconic but somber landmark that stood in the heart of Kuala Lumpur for over a century. Completed in 1895, built by British Colonial using convicts for labor. It became famous not just for its grim history, but for the massive, colorful mural painted on its exterior walls, which once held the Guiness World Record for the longest Mural in the world. 

In 1984, an inmate named Khong Yen Chong used over 2,000 litres of paint to transform the grey walls into a lush tropical jungle scene. 

Despite many calls for it to be preserved as a heritage site, the prison was largely demolished in 2010 and 2012 to make way for urban development. The site has since been transformed into the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) which includes the Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport. 

The "Stubborn House" (Rumah Degil), nickname for being the last traditional Malay house to stand its ground on Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, refusing to budge for decades while concrete skyscrapers and modern shop-lots literally grew up around it.

The house was built in 1926 by Haji Jaafar Sultan Sinombar, a descendant of Sultan Puasa (who many historians credit as the true founder of Kuala Lumpur).

For nearly 90 years, the house survived the Japanese occupation, the 1969 riots and intense urban development. The last resident, Nenek Norma, lived there from her birth in 1932 until the land was eventually sold in 2013. 

The house was dismantled in 2015 rather than letting it be demolished,and was reconstructed at its current location in 2018 at the grounds of the National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara). 

The Suleiman Court and SOGO

The Suleiman Court holds a special place in Malaysian history as the first high-rise apartment building in Kuala Lumpur. Constructed in 1957, just as Malaysia was gaining independence. It was commissioned by the Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman who wanted to provide affordable low-cost housing for people in the city. 

In 1986, the Suleiman Court was demolished to make way for modern commercial development, The SOGO Department Store which opened its doors in 1994. 

TESCO MALAYSIA

Tesco entered the Malaysian market in 2001 through a joint venture with local conglomerate Sime Darby Berhad. The very first Tesco Hypermarket opened in Puchong, Selangor in 2002.

In 2005, Tesco introduced the Clubcard, one of Malaysia's first truly successful retail loyalty programs.

In 2017, Tesco acquired the Malaysian operations of Makro and were rebranded as Tesco Extra. 

In 2020, Tesco PLC announced it was selling its entire Southeast Asian business (Malaysia and Thailand) to focus on its core UK Market. 

Starting February 2021, the iconic blue and red "TESCO" signs began comingdown and was renamed Lotus Malaysia. 

ProJET was established in 1999 as a joint venture between the American oil giant ConocoPhillips and Malaysia's Sime Darby Bhd. It was first foreign company in 30 years to be granted a license to operate petrol stations in Malaysia, breaking the long-standing presence of Shell, Esso , Mobil and Petronas. 

The image above is the ProJET at Wangsa Maju (Section5) located next to Carrefour Wangsa Maju (Now AEON Big Wangsa Maju). 

Destina, ProJET in-house convenience store brand,a popular hangout spot for car until 2005 when many Destoma stores were converted into 7-Eleven outlets to improve profitability. 

By the late 2007 and 2008, every ProJET station was repainted and rebranded as a Shell Station. 

The Auntie Kopitiam located at Wangsa Walk Mall, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur is one of my favourite spot for breakfast or lunch. Looking back at the photo you can almost smell the traditional Hainanese coffee and toasted kaya bread. 

The Auntie Kopitiam were well-known for their classic Malaysian staples - Nasi Lemak, Curry Noodles and of course, the signature Kopi and half-boiled eggs.

The legacy of Auntie Kopitiam began in 1935 at Kuala Selangor.The name "Auntie  Kopitiam" specifically honors Foo Ah Yong (famously known as Auntie Foo).She took over the business after her father passed away and ran the original shop in Kuala Selangor for over 30 years. 

Sadly, the Auntie Kopitiam outlet at Wangsa Walk closed its doors around 2014 or 2015. The original shop at Jalan Sultan Ibrahim, Kuala Selangor remains a popular destination. Auntie Foo daughter, Leong Hui Ching, continues the family legacy by operating the nearby Auntie Foo Cafe in 2012. 

Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia (KR1M)

A nostalgic attempt to tackle the cost of living by providing essential goods like rice, cooking oil and flour at lower prices. Launched in 2011, KR1M was designed to help lower-income groups (B40) access affordable groceries. 

However, in 2017, the government terminated the contract with the main operator, Mydin following concerns over product pricing and quality. 

A revamp version was launched in early 2018, with a new busines model, partnering with KK Supermart and Tunas Manja. However, the change of governmant in the 2018 General Election (GE14), the program was phased out and replaced by other cost-of-living inttiatives. 

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL
3 February 2026: 8.45 p.m

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