Compiled by: Navy Veteran Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor
Historical Date: 17–21 May 1990
Location: Penang, Malaysia
On 17-21 May 1990, I was serving onboard KD Lekir, took part in the largest event ever held by the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Internationl Royal Fleet Review (IRDR) in Penang.
It was held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 1990 and the 55th Anniversary of the RMN. The tradition of Royal Fleet Review itself goes back to 1346 during King Edward III's reign.
Reference:
- ZulheimyMaamor > 1990 : PENANG INTERNATIONAL ROYAL FLEET REVIEW
- ZulheimyMaamor > 1991 : NEW ZEALAND IRFR
- ZulheimyMaamor > KD LEKIR : 7 AUGUST 1989 - 4 DECEMBER 1991
Event Overview & Background
- Event Name: Royal Malaysian Navy International Royal Fleet Review (RMN IRFR 1990).
- Date: 17 - 21 May 1990.
- Location: Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Origin of the Tradition: The Royal Fleet Review is a military tradition originating from the British heritage, dating back to June 1346 during the reign of King Edward III before sailing to war with France. Originally, it served to mobilize ships for war while showcasing the strength of the Armada.
- The 1990 Occasion: Organized as the International Fleet Review Parade (PDAA 1990), this event marked the 55th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) and coincided with Visit Malaysia Year 1990. It remains the largest event ever hosted by the RMN.
- A total of 59 warships from 21 countries joined the review in Penang including the USA, Russia, United Kingdom,Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore and many more.
- Atmosphere: For 5 historic days, Penang was transformed into a bustling "Navy City," flooded with naval personnel from 21 nations sporting their unique and colorful dress uniforms.
KD LEKIR (F26)
Highlights & Key Operations
The Royal Review
- Reviewing Ship: KD Mutiara was designated as the official Review Ship, carrying His Royal Highness Yang Di Pertuan Agong Sultan Azlan Shah, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and other high-ranking dignitaries to inspect the armada.
- The Gun Salute: As the international naval fleet entered Penang Harbor, KD Lekir was given the distinct honor of returning a 21-gun salute fired from the Penang mainland by the Malaysian Army Artillery Regiment.
- Naval City: For 5 historic days, Penang became a Navy Town. The city was filled with sailors in their unique uniforms from 21 nations. It was later declared a Naval City in conjunction with the event of "Freedom of Entry". There were cultural shows, chingays and silat demos, regatta, dragon boat races, trishaw races and band performances from the U.S, Somalia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Russia , Japan, India, Oman and Britain.
- Freedom of Entry: A parade by 3,000 sailors and officers through George Town.
Participating Fleet Statistics
- Total Warships: 59 ships
- Participating Nations : 21 Countries
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), a legendary Ticonderoga-class Guided-Missile Cruiser, launched in 1985. The first U.S warship to feature the Mark 4 Vertical Launching System (VLS), a massive technological upgrade that allowed it to fire Tomahawk cruise missile.
** Latest Update (2026) : The ship was officially decommisioned on September 22, 2023 in San Diego.
JDS Katori (TC-3501) - a training vessel of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Commissioned in September 1969 to train newly commissioned JMSDF officers on global oceanic voyages.
*** Latest update (2026) : the vessel was decommisioned on March 20, 1998.
JDS Haruyuki (DD-128) - highly capable Hatsuyuki-class destroyer. The first geneation designed to handle anti-submarine, anti-air and anti-ship combat.
***Latest update (2026): the vessel was decommissioned on March 13, 2014.
JDS Setoyuki (DD-131) - Hatsuyuki-class destroyer, multi-purpose destroyer capable of handling anti-submarine, anti-ship and anti-air operations.
*** Latest update (2026) : Decommissioned on December 24, 2021.
KRI Ahmad Yani (351) : general purpose frigate of TNI-AL. Originally built in the Netherlands, she was purchased by Indonesia in 1986. The ship features an OTO Melara 76mm main gun, Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles and anti ship missile capablities.
HTMS Khirirat (PF-432) : a Tapi-class anti-submarine corvette. Built in U.S in 1972 and was commissioned into active Thailand service in August 1974.
BNS Ali Haider (F17) : a Leopard-class Type 41 anti-aircraft frigate, originally built in U.K for Royal Navy Frigate HMS Jaguar (F37). Laid down in 1953 and commissioned in 1959 and being sold to Bangladesh in 1978.
*** Latest update : Decommissioned on January 22, 2014.
BNS Umar Farooq (F16) : a Salisbury-class Type 61 aircraft direction frigate. Originally built in U.K for British RN HMS Salisbury (F32) in 1957, being transferred to Bangladesh in December 1976.
*** Latest update (2026) : Decommissioned on 30 December 2015.
FNS Commandant Ducuing (F795) : an D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso designated as a light frigate or corvette. Named after the heroic World War II officer Gabriel Auguste Ferdinand Ducuing, the vessel entered service in 1983.
*** Latest update (2026): Decommissioned on 14 May 2024.
FNS Marne (A630) : a Durance-class command and replinishment tanker. Launched in 1985, the last of five highly capable fleet tankers built by France.
** latest update in 2026 : Decommissioned in 2023 .
HMAS Westralia (O195) : a modified Leaf-class replinishment oiler. Originally built in 1976 for British Royal Fleet Auxilliary, the ship seeing active service during the 1982 Falkland War.
It officially served the RAN from 1989 to 2006. She participated in Operation Damask II during 1991 Gulf War.
Decommissioned in 2006 and sold for scrapping in 2010.
HMNZS Waikato (F55) : a Batch 2 Leander-class Frigate. Built by Harland & Wolf in Belfast, commissioned in September 1966 and decommissioned in July 1998.
Participated in 1982 Falkland War with her sister ship HMNZS Canterbury.
HMS Cardiff (D108) : a Batch 1 Type 42 guided-missile destroyer. Built by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, launched in 1974 and commissioned in 1979. She was decommissioned in July 2005 . Involved in Falkland War in 1982 and Gulf War in May 1990 before participated in Penang IRFR.
INS Ganga (F22) : a Godavari-class guided-missile Frigate. Built in Mumbai, she was commissioned on December 30, 1985 and served a long, prestigious career before being decommissioned on March 22, 2018.
INS Khukri (P49) : corvette-sized guided-missile. She was commissioned on August 23, 1989 and decommissioned after 32 years of active services on December 23, 2021.
KPD Waspada (P02) : Fast Attack Craft (Missile), commissioned on 1978, she was decommissioned in April 2011 and was donated to the Indonesian Navy and renamed KRI Salawaku (642).
ITS Libeccio (F 572) : anti-submarine warfare Maestrale-class frigate. Built by Fincantieri at the Riva Trigoso shipyards, she was launched in September 1981, commissioned into active service on February 5, 1983 and officially decommissioned in 2024.
SLNS Jayasagara (P 601), an offshore patrol vessels, built in Sri Lanka Colombo Dockyard, commissioned into active service on December 9, 1983. After nearly four decades of service, she was decomissioned on May 18, 2022.
SNV Nash Al Bahr (L2) : a Logistic and Landing ship, built by Brooke Marine in the U.K, she featured a large stern ramp and helicopter flight deck, capable of transporting troops, heavy vehicles and military supplies tu support amphibious operations across Oman's strategic coastline.
TCG Turgutreis (F-241) : a Yuvuz-class guided-missile Frigate, built in Germany by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel, she was launched in 1987, commissioned on August 30, 1988 and served for 36 years before being officially decommissioned on July 6, 2024.
Cultural & City Festivities
- Freedom of Entry Parade: A massive parade involving 3,000 crew members and officers marching through the streets of George Town, Penang.
- Musical Military Bands: Public performances featuring international naval bands from the USA, USSR, UK, Japan, India, Somalia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Oman, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
- Public Entertainment: Military bands from nations including the USA, Somalia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Russia, Japan, India, Oman, and Britain performed popular tunes for the massive crowds.
- Local Festivities: Stage shows, cultural dances, chingay demonstrations, silat, regatta ceremonies, dragon boat races, and trishaw races filled the city.
- Water Sports: Regatta ceremonies and Dragon Boat racing.
- Author: Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor, an RMN veteran who served for 16 years with the Royal Malaysian Navy (1980–1996).
- Memories: He counts IRFR 1990 as one of the sweetest milestones of his naval career. Serving on KD Lekir (1989 - 1991) allowed him to witness this historic home event, which he followed a year later by participating in the New Zealand International Royal Fleet Review in Auckland (1991).
- Historical Gap Note: The author expressed disappointment that detailed official records or media archives of this massive event are heavily missing from modern websites, including the RMN's official portal—leaving personal logs and rare archive footage (such as Japanese TV broadcasts on YouTube) as vital historical preservation pieces.
References:
- Zulheimy Maamor : 1990 - Penang International Royal Fleet Review
- KD Lekir: New Zealand IRFR 1991.
- Memory Notebook: The 1991 RMN Deployment (KD Lekir & KD Mahawangsa).
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
3/6/2026: 2.10 a.m
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