KD LEKIR
22nd Corvette Squadron
RMN Base, Lumut, Perak
7 Aug 1989 - 4 Dec 1991
KD Lekir is named after the Malay warrior Hang Lekir, one of the five legendary Malay warrior brothers from the era of the Malacca Sultanate in the mid-15th century.
The ship, weighing 1,580 tonnes with a length of 97.3 metres, is a corvette capable of countering air, surface, and subsurface threats.
The 22nd Corvette Squadron consists of KD KASTURI and KD LEKIR. Both are named after the legendary Malay heroes HANG KASTURI and HANG LEKIR from the golden age of the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century.
KD LEKIR was built by Blohm Voss (HDW) Shipyard in Kiel, West Germany, on 14 May 1983. The ship is equipped with a 100mm/55 DP gun as its main weapon and is also equipped with MM40 Exocet surface-to-surface missiles.
The ship then underwent a series of sea trials, integration, and final evaluation of its combat systems before being commissioned on 15 August 1984 by the second Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Dato' Mohd Zain bin Mohd Salleh.
The first Commanding Officer of KD Lekir was Cdr Ramly Bin Abu Bakar N/400228.
First crew KD Lekir at Kiel, Germany, 1984
I served on KD Lekir from 7 August 1989 until 4 December 1991. KD Lekir was based in Lumut, Perak. As a member of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), it is a matter of pride to be posted to such a sophisticated ship, because KD Lekir was the most advanced ship in the RMN at that time. The Commanding Officer of KD Lekir at that time was Capt. Noor Azman Hj Othman RMN N/400404.
With USS Bunker Hill in Penang waters during the Royal International Fleet Review in May 1990.
SHIP AT SEA
When at sea, Navy ships conduct military operations, maritime security patrols, tactical training, and exercises with foreign ships and humanitarian missions to protect national interests and safeguard global trade routes.
KD Lekir at Swallow Reef (Terumbu Layang-Layang). The deployment of major surface combatants like KD Lekir to the reef served a combination of critical operational, strategic, and diplomatic missions.
Following Malaysia's formal declaration of its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in 1980, Swallow Reef became a primary forward outpost in the contested Spratly Islands.
Equipped with surface-to-surface missiles, anti-submarine capabilities, and air search radars, KD Lekir was tasked with patrolling the surrounding waters. The ship monitored foreign military movements, protected local fisheries from illegal poaching, and ensured regional maritime domain awareness in highly volatile waters.
KD Lekir (F26) with USS Bunker Hill (CG-52)
The USS Bunker Hill is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser of the U.S. Navy, launched on March 11, 1985. The ship is based at the U.S. Naval Base in San Diego, California.
The ship is named after a major battle that took place during the American Revolutionary War—the Battle of Bunker Hill—on June 17, 1775. This fierce battle between British troops and the American Continental Army occurred in Boston, USA.
KD Lekir with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), a U.S. Navy Nimitz-class supercarrier named after Carl Vinson (1883-1981), a congressman from Georgia, in recognition of his contributions to the U.S. Navy.
Jackstay Transfer—A traditional naval method used during Replenishment at Sea (RAS) to move personnel, light stores, mail, or provisions directly between two ships while they are actively moving forward.
Ship at "Action Stations" is the highest state of alert on a warship, meaning the vessel is preparing for immediate combat, damage control drills, or hazardous live-fire exercises. The white head coverings and long white gloves worn by the crew are called anti-flash gear, made of fire-resistant materials, to protect the sailor's face, neck, and hands from severe, short-duration thermal burns caused by exploding enemy ordnance, missile hits, or their weapon propellants.
Historical photos chronicle helicopter flight operations at sea aboard KD Lekir in the South China Sea.
Replenishment at Sea (RAS) is a highly specialised naval manoeuvre where two or more ships transfer fuel, ammunition, fresh water, and provisions while actively moving forward across the open sea.
When working with foreign forces, exercises with foreign navies focus on improving communication, building tactical coordination, testing joint capabilities, and strengthening diplomatic ties between allied countries.
KD Lekir was also involved in surveillance duties in the oil rig areas in the Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak, such as in Miri and Bintulu.
Among the exercises that KD Lekir frequently participated in is Ex-Starfish, which is a joint exercise with FPDA (Five Power Defence Agreements) countries involving naval ships from Malaysia, Singapore, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Starfish Exercise is an annual multilateral military exercise series held under the framework of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). The FPDA is a defence pact involving five countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
1989 - CHOGM KUALA LUMPUR
The 11th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in Kuala Lumpur from 18 October 1989 until 24 October 1989.
KD Lekir was given the honour of being the escort ship for HMY Britannia (Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia), which was carrying Queen Elizabeth II, who was to officiate the conference.
The Penang International Royal Fleet Review (Penang IRFR) took place from 17 May to 21 May 1990 at Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
The international fleet review was organised as a grand celebration of naval tradition and international friendship. It brought together warships and naval contingents from numerous nations across the globe.
The vertical borders of the poster display the flags of the participating countries. These include Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, India, Thailand, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Kuwait, Oman, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Bangladesh.
1991 - LIMA LANGKAWI
The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, better known as LIMA LANGKAWI, was first held on 11 November 1991. It is an international exhibition related to commercial and defence aviation and maritime.
LIMA LANGKAW I was the idea of the 4th former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
KD Lekir was also involved in LIMA Langkawi 1991, and that was the first and last LIMA Langkawi for me because after ending my service in 1996, I did not have the opportunity to attend subsequent LIMA Langkawi events.
MALAYSIAN SEAFARER ABROAD
A commemorative photo taken overseas while serving on KD Lekir between 1989 and 1991. Throughout my more than 2 years of service with KD Lekir, the ship was heavily involved in patrol duties around Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, in addition to participating in several domestic and international exercise series. The ship was also involved in operational visits to Surabaya & Riau in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and South Korea, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
What I am most proud of is participating in two major international events: in May 1990, KD Lekir took part in the Royal Malaysian Navy International Royal Fleet Review held in Penang, and in 1991, she participated in the Royal New Zealand Navy International Royal Fleet Review in Auckland, New Zealand.
Among the voyages undertaken by KD Lekir and her associated assignments were:
- KD Lekir: Surabaya 1989, 1990 & 1991.
- KD Lekir: Hong Kong, 1990.
- KD Lekir: South Korea, 1990.
- KD Lekir: Penang International Royal Fleet Review.
- KD Lekir: Australia, 1991.
- KD Lekir: New Zealand IRFR, 1991.
Surabaya was a primary destination for KD Lekir during the late 1980s and early 1990s. We made three distinct visits to this port while I was stationed aboard KD Lekir.
- 1989 - Maiden voyage to Surabaya
- 1990 - second deployment
- 1991 - on our return voyage from Australia and New Zealand.
One of my most memorable personal memories from Tanjung Perak was not about the port itself, but the people. Just outside the main entrance gates, a local family ran a small food stall. I met the same young girl there in 1989 and again in 1991. To see her growth over two years was a beautiful time capsule—a reminder that deployments are not just about ships and ports, but about the human connections sailors make ashore.
Gunung Daik bercabang Tiga: the legendary 3-peaked mountain in Lingga, Riau Islands. For 500 years, this mountain has been the compass and soul of the Malay world. Sailors navigating from Malacca to Johor-Riau would use Gunung as their landmark.
And the pantun in the photo is the most famous pantun in the Malay world:
"Pulau Pandan jauh ke tengah
Gunung Daik bercabang tiga.
Hancur badan dikandung tanah
Budi yang baik di kenang juga."
Meaning that even when our body is gone, good deeds will always be remembered. Very fitting for a veteran's memoir.
Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands (June 1990)
Located south of Bintan Island and close to Singapore, Tanjung Pinang is the capital of the Kepulauan Riau province. It functions as a crucial port linking the islands.
Historically, this city was the geopolitical centre of the Malay world some 500 years ago. After the Portuguese attack on Malacca in 1511, Sultan Mahmud Shah retreated here to seek refuge.
Standing there, you feel the weight of our shared Malay history.
In September 1990, after the Penang International Fleet Review, two ships, KD Lekir and KD Mahawangsa, were deployed for an overseas operational voyage that was supposed to go down a different route but ended up creating its own history.
Our original operational schedule was ambitious—a voyage to Hong Kong and Beijing, China. However, due to unavoidable circumstances while already at sea, plans had to change.
It was our commanding officer, Commander Noor Azman Hj Othman, who made the announcement onboard. The China leg was cancelled and replaced with a new destination: South Korea.
A memorable moment at the HMS Tamar Junior Rate Club. We were welcomed at the Junior Rate Club by female Navy personnel from HMS Tamar. The photo shows two Royal Malaysian Navy sailors from KD Lekir with a Royal Navy Wren from HMS Tamar during the September 1990 goodwill visit. The cap tally "HMS TAMAR" and the crest on the wall are clearly visible—a slice of history just 7 years before the handover.
Incheon & Seoul, South Korea, 1990
The Land Down Under—a famous, globally recognised nickname for Australia. Because Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, early European mapmakers and explorers viewed it as being situated "down" at the bottom of the map, underneath the rest of the world.
HMAS CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
What I will never forget is the naval camaraderie—we were hosted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at the HMAS Cairns base Junior Rates Club, where we mingled with Australian sailors.
HMAS Cairns is the Royal Australian Navy base located at Draper Street, Port Smith, on the northern shore of Trinity Inlet, Cairns, Queensland.
Established in 1971 as a noncommissioned patrol boat facility at Grafton Street, Trinity Wharf supported three Attack Class Patrol Boats, commissioned as a naval establishment on 1 February 1974.
Malaysian Sailors at Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW
Arriving in Sydney, we explored the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge wearing our custom-ordered black cruise jackets.
With the Malay from Cocos Island, Port of Fremantle, Perth, Australia
HMNZS TAMAKI
Genuine history from the last years of HMNZS Tamaki as a separate base. In 1991, during our visit, HMNZS Tamaki was still at Fort Cautley, Narrow Neck, on Auckland's North Shore. It was the RNZN's trades and technical training base.
In 1993, the Basic Common Trainees were moved from HMNZS Tamaki to HMNZS Philomel. HMNZS Tamaki ceased to exist by November 2000.
The sign says "Home of The Navy"—"Te Kainga O Te Taua Moana O Aotearoa"—in front of the twin 4.5-inch guns of HMNZS Achilles—that fought at the Battle of the River Plate on 13 December 1939.
HMNZS Philomel, located at Devonport Naval Base, is the main RNZN Logistics and Training Base.
White Island (Whakaari) is the most active stratovolcano of the Andes in New Zealand, located in the Bay of Plenty, about 48 km from the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
Commanding Officer of KD Lekir, Captain Noor Azman bin Hj Othman (left), and LK1 KMT Rosman Abd Rahman at White Island, New Zealand, 1991.
KD Lekir was the last ship I served on in the RMN before ending my service in 1996 after 16 years of service with the RMN... After KD Lekir, I was posted to SKTLDM Kuantan from 1991 to 1995 and ended my service in January 1996.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
15 September 2026: 1.26 a.m.
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