Notebook: History of Lumut Naval Base & Intake 139 (1980)

Here is a structured notebook based on the historical account of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN / Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia - TLDM) Lumut Base development and the experiences of Intake 139, as documented by Navy Veteran Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor.

KD Pelandok received its first batch of recruits for basic training on 14 January 1980. 

Notebook: History of TLDM Lumut Base & Intake 139 (1980)

1. Executive Summary

• Source Document: Blog post by Navy Veteran Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor (Served 1980–1996). 
• Reference: 1980 - TLDM Intake 139 & Pengkalan TLDM Lumut, Perak.
• Core Subject: The strategic relocation of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base from Singapore to Perak, Malaysia, and the first batch of recruits trained at the new facility.
• Historical Significance: Marks the transition of Malaysia’s naval defense independence after separating from Singapore.

2. Timeline of Key Events

Date	Event Description
1965	Singapore leaves Malaysia, rendering the RMN Base location in Woodlands politically unideal.
1967	Commodore Datuk K. Thanabalisingam is appointed as the first Malaysian Chief of Navy.
1969	Commodore K.Thanabalisingam conceptualizes moving the RMN base to Malaysian soil.
May 1972	Lumut in Perak is selected as the most strategic location following a detailed survey.
5 January 1973	Construction of the Lumut Naval Base officially begins.
1977	The Royal Malaysian Navy planned to build a shipyard for ship maintenance. Two German Firms, Blohm & Voss and Thyssen AG were selected to build the shipyard. The shipyard is known as Boustead Naval Shipyard. In was rebranded as Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) in 2024.
1 November 1979	TLDM officially relocates its operation from Woodlands, Singapore to Lumut, Perak.
14 January 1980	Intake 139/80 arrives at KD Pelandok, Lumut, becoming the first batch to undergo recruit training locally instead of in Sembawang in Singapore.
26 June 1980	Intake 139/80 completes their 6-months training with a Passing out Parade, the first to used the Parade of KD Pelandok.
6 February 1983	Construction of the Lumut Naval Base is fully completed.
9 September 1984	The Royal Malaysian Navy HQ in Woodlands, Singapore began relocating to Lumut Naval Base after 9 years of construction.

3. The Relocation and Strategic Selection of Lumut

Background & Conception

• The Dilemma: After Singapore exited Malaysia in 1965, the RMN base remained stationed at Woodlands, Singapore.
• The Visionary: In 1969, Commodore Datuk K. Thanabalisingam advocated for a sovereign naval base within Malaysian territory.

Evaluation & Selection Process

• The Naval Study Team: Formed by the Malaysian government to find a suitable location, led by:
• Commander V. Ramachandran (Head of Operations & Planning)
• Lt. Cdr. T.A. Scully (Engineering Officer)
• Firms Involved: The Malaysian government collaborated with German firms F.H. KOCKS KG (for site selection and planning) and Thyssen Rheinstahl Technik (for dockyard construction).
• Why Lumut Over Klang? While Port Klang was initially considered, a detailed geographical analysis ruled it out. Lumut was selected due to a spanning 1,800 acres of land that met crucial criteria:
• Geology: Stable and ideal terrain for heavy infrastructure.
• Defense: Strategically naturally protected.
• Sea Depth: Deep waters perfectly suited for naval vessel maneuvers.
• NAVAL SHIPYARD
• A major component of the base is the Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS)
• Established in 1984 as the Royal Malaysian Navy Dockyard (RMN Dockyard)
• Corporatized in 1991
• Privatised as PSC Naval Dockyard in 1995
• Later became Boustead Naval Shipyard
• Renamed Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) after government restructuring. Today it is responsible for maintenance, repair, modernisation and construction of major RMN vessels, including the Littoral Combat Ship (OCS) programme. 

4. Key Historical Figures

1. Commodore Datuk K. Thanabalisingam: The first Malaysian-born Chief of Navy (appointed 1967) who initiated the local base concept.
2. Komodor Mohamed Sidek Shabudin (Allahyarham): Former Project Chief for the TLDM Lumut Base and Commander of Naval Region 1 (Panglima Wilayah Laut 1). He passed away on April 28, 1979, before seeing the completion of the base. The base's Dewan M. Sidek Shabudin is named in his honor.
3. Captain P.K. Nettur: The RMN officer who took the salute during the historic passing out parade of Intake 139 on June 26, 1980.

5. Firsthand Account: The Raw Reality of Lumut in 1980

The author, Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor, paints a vivid picture of the primitive state of Malaysia's largest naval base during its early operational phase in 1980:

"The TLDM Lumut Base back then was still just red earth and dust... not many roads were paved yet."

Training Conditions for Intake 139

• Among the Pioneers : When the recruits of intake 139/80 arrived in 14 January 1980, the massive 1,800-acre base was still actively under construction. Recruits trained amidst open dirt tracks and red clay. They successfully concluded their grueling basic training on June 26, 1980. bridgig the gap between the navy's old legacy in Singapore and its modern, self-reliant future as a major maritime protector in Southeast Asia. 
• The Parade Ground: The official parade square was incomplete when training started. Recruits spent months marching over dusty red soil; the parade ground was only finalized two months before their graduation.
• Seamanship Training: Practical sailing and maneuvering drills were heavily conducted around the waters of Pangkor Island to build sea proficiency.
• The Legacy: Intake 139 made history as the very first batch to officially inaugurate the new Lumut Parade Ground and graduate on Malaysian soil, witnessing the base evolve from a muddy construction site into a modern naval powerhouse.
  

Specific Training sailors went through at KD Pelandok

The training at KD Pelandok—the premier Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) training centre in Lumut, Perak—served as the definitive crucible where raw recruits were transformed into disciplined sailors. 
For pioneering 1980s groups like Intake 139, training was physically punishing. The sprawling 1,800-acre Lumut base was still under construction, forcing recruits to march, run, and complete drills across unpaved red clay and muddy dirt tracks. 

The curriculum was divided into distinct phases designed to build complete naval readiness:

1. Basic Military and Drill Phase (The Foundation)

• Foot and Arms Drills: Endless hours on the massive Lumut Parade Ground to instill uniform synchronization and reaction to commands.
• Physical Conditioning: Daily long-distance endurance runs, obstacle courses, and strength conditioning to build physical resilience.
• Unwavering Discipline: Strict adherence to naval hierarchy, midnight kit inspections, uniform upkeep, and intense psychological conditioning from instructors. 

2. Basic Seamanship Skills (Essential Sea Survival)

• Swimming and Lifesaving: Mandatory tests in deep-water survival, jumping from heights to simulate abandoning ship, and mastering life raft deployment.
• Basic Sailing & Boat Handling: Practicing practical rowboat and small sailboat maneuvering at the Pusat Latihan Kemahiran Air (Water Skills Training Centre) to understand wind and currents. 
• Knotting and Splicing: Learning dozens of classic naval knots, bends, hitches, and wire ropes essential for safely securing a multi-ton warship to a pier.

3. Specialised Skill Schools (Branch Phase)
Once basic training concluded, sailors transitioned to specialized faculties within the base depending on their designated roles: 

• Communications Faculty: Trainees like those in the Zul Maamor Collection spent long hours learning tactical signaling, typing, and logging Morse code and Semaphore flag procedures.
• Seaman Faculty: Focusing on handling heavy naval gunnery, small arms weapon drills, and deck maintenance.
• Engineering & Supply Faculties: Focusing on shipboard engine mechanics, damage control, or logistics management.

4. Survival and Damage Control (Fleet Readiness)

• Firefighting and Flood Control: Training inside simulated smoke-filled mockups and flooding ship compartments, where recruits had to plug high-pressure hull breaches under water.
• CBRNDC Training: Learning how to survive and counter Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear threats. 

The Legacy of Intake 139/80 holds a monumental place in the history of the Royal Malaysian Navy. 

Reference:

1. Wikipedia - Lumut Naval Base
2. Wikipedia - Woodlands Naval Base
3. Roots Singapore : Former KD Malaya
4. Fandom : RMN Lumut Naval Base

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

3 June 2026: 3.23 a.m