ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

▼

Friday, 5 December 2025

KD MUTIARA (1985-1986)

KD MUTIARA 1985-1986

By: Hj Zulheimy Ma'amor
Navy Veteran

36th Hydrographic Squadron (Pengkalan TLDM, Lumut, Perak)

I served on board KD Mutiara from 26 August 1985 until 1 May 1986. The Commanding Officer at that time was Cdr. Husaini bin Abdullah TLDM N/400355. 




The original KD Mutiara (1961) was historically the very first ship in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to officially use the "Kapal DiRaja" (KD) prefix. This newer vessel was built in Penang by the Hong Leong Lurssen Dockyard company. Carrying the international call sign 9MNG and pennant number A 255, she was commissioned into RMN service on December 18, 1977. The royal launch was graced by the Raja Permaisuri Agong at the time, Tengku Zainab binti Tengku Seri Utama Raja Muhammad Petra, taking over the name of the decommissioned predecessor.

KD Mutiara was placed under the 36th Hydrographic Squadron alongside KD Perantau. Captain Goh Siew Chong RMN (N/400157) served as her very first commanding officer. 

Measuring 71 meters in length and 13 meters in width and carrying a displacement capacity of 1,905 tonnes, the ship was powered by two Deutz SBA 12M 528 main engines utilizing a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) system. She could reach a maximum speed of 16 knots. Shipboard power was generated by three main generators and one emergency generator, and she carried four survey boats alongside two workboats.

Primary Mission & Duties

KD Mutiara’s core responsibilities were executing hydrographic surveys, conducting meteorological observations, and carrying out limited oceanographic research. The precise nautical charts produced from her data significantly contributed to safe navigation, bolstering maritime economic growth by securing crucial import and export shipping lanes. Throughout her lifespan, she held an incredible survey track record, directly contributing to the publication of 50 official nautical charts.

Voyage to India & The Republic of Maldives (1985)

Deploying with KD Hang Tuah & KD Mutiara

Of all my experiences serving on KD Mutiara, the most unforgettable was sailing across the Indian Ocean toward the Port of Madras (now Chennai) and the Republic of Maldives, alongside our fleet companion KD Hang Tuah. We even had an RMAF (TUDM) helicopter accompany us on this deployment, from which incredible aerial photos of our transit were taken.

Braving the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean

The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world, spanning an immense 2,172,000 square kilometers. The Indian Ocean—often traditionally referred to as Lautan Kidul—is the third-largest ocean on Earth, covering roughly 20% of the planet's water surface. It is one of the most remote, intimidating, and volatile bodies of water, frequently whipped up by 40-knot (74 km/h) winds and towering 10-meter swells. It also holds the reputation of being the warmest ocean in the world.

We ran straight into incredibly violent waves during this transit. Seasickness claimed a large portion of the crew, but that is the true seasoning of a sailor's life. The ocean is our playground, and the crashing waves are our toys. If you haven't faced a violent sea, you can't truly call yourself a mariner.

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor..."

 

Photo that I took from the RMAF Helicopter that participated in this voyage of KD Mutiara crossing the Indian Ocean. 

The KD Mutiara Communicators

I fondly look back at the communication watch-standers who served during this 1985 deployment. Among those I still remember are RS Leong Kim Fatt, LTO Kamaruddin, RO Jamal, RO Yahya, RO Kamaruzzaman, RO Mazlan, RO Anuar, RO Khairuddin, and a few others whose names have faded with time.

The Republic of Maldives

The Maldives is a stunning island nation consisting of coral atoll clusters in the Indian Ocean, located about 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka. It features 26 officially designated atolls containing 1,192 tiny islands, of which only about 200 are inhabited by humans. The nation was historically colonized by the Portuguese (1558), the Dutch (1654), and finally the British (1887) before gaining independence in 1965. Sadly, it was also among the nations severely impacted by the tragic December 26, 2004, tsunami.

During our visit, we saw the Islamic Center and the Grand Friday Mosque (Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam), which was opened in 1984 by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. It was named after a revered Maldivian ruler and warrior hero. Islam originally took root here in 1153 when the last Buddhist King, Dhovemi, embraced the faith. Since then, it flourished across the islands, leading to the Muslim-majority population we see today.


Madras, India (1985)

Our next destination was Madras, India (now known as Chennai), located on the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal. It is the capital of Tamil Nadu and India's fourth-largest metropolitan city. The name Madras stems from Madraspatnam, a site chosen by the British East India Company in 1639.




KD Mutiara Communicators at Port of Madras, India (1985)



Looking at the photo now, it serves as a wonderful reminder of a different era. In 1985, there were no smartphones, no selfies, and no instant digital previews. You took a picture, took care of the film, and waited days or weeks to see how it turned out.
It was a warm, humid afternoon in 1985. I was exploring the bustling stretch of Anna Salai, or Mount Road. While wandering, I crossed paths with this lady, being struck by her graceful presence and friendly expression. I asked if she would be willing to take a photo with me; she smiled and agreed. My friend snapped the picture. We shared a polite nod of gratitude and then went our separate ways into the crowd. I never caught her name; however, it reminds me of the pure hospitality and warmth experienced during my time in Madras. 

The photo that I found at Wikipedia, the LIC Building in Chennai, where I took the photo with the lady in a saree in 1985.



INS Adyar, the oldest Indian Navy establishment in Madras, India. It was established in 1940 as HMS Adyar during World War II, with Captain R.A. Malhuish as the first Naval-in-Charge. 
Recommissioned as INS Adyar in 1954, the strength of the base grew. 



We had the chance to visit several historical landmarks, including Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) in the Kancheepuram district. Back in the 7th century, this was a prominent South Indian port city under the Pallava Dynasty. Tragically, this coastal area was also heavily hit by the 2004 tsunami, which claimed over 200,000 lives across the region.

While exploring via our tour bus, we passed by the residence of the iconic Indian actor and then-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M.G. Ramachandran (M.G.R.), who later passed away on December 24, 1987. Our guide shared history about his life as we viewed from the windows. 


I also remember buying a photo of a popular Tamil film actress outside a local movie studio just as a keepsake. 

Through Google Overview search, I managed to trace the name of these actress given by Google Overview. 

Left Panel: Suhasini Maniratnam
Top Right: Moushumi Chatterjee
Bottom Right: Sridevi

Other memories at KD Mutiara


KD Mutiara at Port Klang, Selangor, where the Sultan of Selangor boarded the ship. I do not remember this event; it was a long time ago.


Another memory from my time on KD Mutiara involves a hydrographic survey mission at Layang-Layang Reef in the waters off Sabah. We were stationed there for months.

Reflections and Farewell

Though my service on the hydrographic ship lasted only nine months, it left an indelible mark on my life. KD Mutiara allowed me to travel the world and experience cultures vastly different from our own in Malaysia. It was also on this vessel that I was promoted to the rank of Acting Leading Rate (LK KMR).

As destiny would have it, during our journey home from India and the Maldives, we received the official signal orders for my reassignment. My name was listed for a transfer to the Naval Department at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in Kuala Lumpur.

The Decommissioning of KD Mutiara (20 July 2018)

After 41 years of loyal, steadfast service to the nation, KD Mutiara officially ended her operational life with the Royal Malaysian Navy. The formal decommissioning ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, at the RMN Naval Base Jetty in Lumut, attended by over 300 navy personnel, officers, and 11 former Commanding Officers.

The first-ever Commanding Officer of the ship, Captain (Rtd) Goh Siew Chong, was present to receive a special memento from the Chief of Navy. With this ceremony, the ship was formally struck from the inventory of the 36th Hydrographic Squadron.

The first Commanding Officer of KD Mutiara, Kept (Rtd) Goh Siew Chong, received a special Momento from the Chief of Navy. 


Since her launch on November 13, 1976, KD Mutiara logged an astonishing total voyage distance of 220,000 kilometers—the equivalent of sailing around the globe six times. She successfully executed 146 hydrographic instructions, mapping out a total area of 68,598 square kilometers of Malaysian territorial waters.



Farewell, KD Mutiara. Thank you for the memories.

Further reading:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Ex-crew of KD Mutiara (1985-86)
13 September 2026: 12.39 a.m
at

No comments:

Post a Comment