MY TRAVEL INFO: TANJUNG PINANG, RIAU, INDONESIA

The photos capture the crew of KD LEKIR (F26) during a visit to the Riau Islands (Kepulauan Riau), specifically Tanjung Pinang and Pulau Lingga.

The photo of the ship crew standing in front o the Kantor Pos dan Giro Tanjung Pinang Kota (the main Post Office) located at Jalan Merdeka no.17.

This photo features the famous Gunung Daik on Lingga Island, recognised by its triple peak.

There is a famous Malay Pantun about Gunung Daik :

"Pulau Pandan Jauh Ke Tengah, Gunung Daik Bercabang Tiga. Hancur badan dikandung tanah, Budi yang baik dikenang juga..."

Visiting Tanjung Pinang—the capital of the Riau Islands—would have been a strategic and cultural stop, given its proximity to the Straits of Malacca and the shared Malay heritage between the two nations.

Tanjung Pinang is much more than just a port city; it is the spiritual and cultural heart of the Malay world in Indonesia. For a Malaysian sailor visiting in 1990, it likely felt like a "home away from home" due to the shared language, food, and history.

1. The "Cradle" of Malay Culture

Tanjung Pinang is the capital of the Riau Islands (Kepulauan Riau). Historically, it was a central part of the Johor-Riau-Lingga Empire.

• The Shared Roots: Before colonial borders were drawn, Johor (Malaysia) and Riau (Indonesia) were one kingdom. This is why the Malay spoken in Tanjung Pinang is considered the "purest" form and served as the basis for both the Malaysian and Indonesian national languages.
• Pulau Penyengat: Just a 15-minute boat ride from the city center is this tiny island, which was the seat of power for the Malay Sultans. It houses the famous Masjid Raya Sultan Riau, which legend says was built using egg whites as mortar.

For the crew of KD LEKIR, visiting Tanjung Pinang was often part of Joint Patrols or Diplomatic Goodwill Missions. Because the Riau Islands sit right at the mouth of the Singapore Strait and the South China Sea, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) have a long history of cooperation in these waters to combat piracy and ensure maritime security.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

25/12/2025: 12.21 a.m