MY TRAVEL INFO: 1987 - BELAWAN, MEDAN DAN DANAU TOBA

This photograph captures a nostalgic moment from November 1987, documenting a port visit by two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessels—KD Sri Negri Sembilan and KD Serampang—to Belawan, the primary seaport of Medan, Indonesia.

Such visits were significant milestones in the late 1980s, serving as "goodwill missions" to strengthen diplomatic ties and maritime cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia following the earlier era of Confrontation (1963-1966).

Both vessels involved in the OSTEX 1987. OSTEX stands for Operational Sea Training Exercise 

Both vessels were part of the RMN's coastal defense fleet during that era:

• KD Sri Negri Sembilan (P3146): A Sabah-class patrol craft (also referred to as a Seaward Defence Motor Launch). It was a versatile vessel used for coastal surveillance and border protection.
• KD Serampang (P41): A Kris-class patrol craft built by Vosper Ltd. These ships were the workhorses of the Malaysian navy for decades, tasked with anti-piracy and coastal patrol duties.

Belawan was primarily known as the busy commercial port for Medan, which served as the economic and administrative capital of North Sumatera. 

Medan in 1987 was a vibrant, multicultural city known for its historical colonial architecture and culinary scene. 

DANAU TOBA, INDONESIA

Danau Toba (Lake Toba) is more than just a body of water; it is a massive geological wonder, a cultural heartland, and a place of deep myth. Since my visited in 1987, during a very specific era, but its foundation remains one of the most powerful stories on Earth.

Lake Toba is the site of a supervolcanic eruption that occurred roughly 74,000 years ago. It is the ancestral home of the Batak people. 

Lake Toba is widely considered "worth it," especially if you are looking for a destination that is affordable, culturally unique, and significantly more laid-back than Bali. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world, and most travelers find the scale and serenity of the landscape breathtaking.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

25/12/2025: 12.00 a.m