NOTEBOOK: THE HISTORY AND MYSTERY OF KD RAJA JAROM (A1502)

Here is a structured notebook based on the history, naval service, and haunting local lore of the Malaysian Landing Ship Tank (LST), KD Raja Jarom, compiled from the historical account of Navy Veteran Hj. Zulheimy Maamor.

NAVAL NOTEBOOK: THE HISTORY AND MYSTERY OF KD RAJA JAROM (A1502)

Vessel Specifications & Background

• Original Identity: Former United States Navy vessel, USS Sedgewick County.
• Service History: Originally served during World War II.
• Malaysian Commissioning: Commissioned into the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) on 19 February 1977, after sailing across from San Francisco Bay in May 1977.
• First Commanding Officer: Lt Kol (Laut) Abd Wahid Anang.
• Recommissioning: After undergoing refitting at the Malaysian Shipyard Engineering (MSE) in Pasir Gudang, the ship was recommissioned on 18 December 1981.
• Commanding Officer (1981): Komander Zainal Dali.
• Executive Officer (1981): Lt. Komander Zainal Talib.

Notable Missions (1981–1982)

During its operations, KD Raja Jarom completed several critical military transport tasks:

1. Logistics Support: Transported military equipment for the Malaysian Army and the Traffic Police to Sabah and Sarawak.
2. International Exercises: Transported a New Zealand Infantry troop participating in military training within Malaysia.
3. The Royal Mandate: Tasked by the Palace of Johor (Istana Johor) in June 1982 to retrieve ancient artifacts from Pulau Aur (an island roughly 35 nautical miles off the coast of Mersing).

The Myth of the Three Ancient Cannons (Pulau Aur)

A prominent piece of lore surrounding the vessel involves the recovery of ancient cannons, which locals believed triggered a tragic curse.

The History of the Cannons

• Discovery: Originally discovered in 1849 by a British officer named J.T. Thompson.
• Origin: A set of 4 historical cannons stamped with the year 1782 (F1782).

The Extraction & The Warning

• First Phase: KD Raja Jarom successfully retrieved 2 cannons on its first trip.
• Second Phase: Months later, after returning from duties in East Malaysia, the crew returned to retrieve the 3rd cannon.
• The Folklore: Local villagers warned the crew that cries had been heard at night where the first two cannons were taken. They claimed the "three sibling cannons" (meriam 3 beradik) had been broken up, warning that separating them further would anger the spiritual guardians and invite disaster upon the vessel.

The Tragic Collisions & "The 3M / 3R" Coincidence

Exactly 200 years after the cannons were forged (1782–1982), KD Raja Jarom met with a severe accident that veterans and locals darkly connected back to the island's folklore.

Incident 1: The Buffalo Rock Collision (1982)

• Date & Time: 19 December 1982 at 10:10 PM.
• Location: Buffalo Rock, Singapore Straits.
• The Event: KD Raja Jarom collided heavily with a Japanese oil tanker, Syoru Maru.
• Casualties: The tragedy claimed the lives of 3 crew members.
• The Eerie Connection: Locals noted that TLDM took 3 Cannons (3M - Meriam), and in return, lost 3 crewmen whose names all started with the letter 'R' (3R):
• BM Abdul Rahman Bin Kunji Maidin (No: 802372)
• BM Ramlie bin Yaakub (No: 805992)
• BM Abd Rahman bin Hamid (No: 805221)

Incident 2: The Malacca Straits Collision (1984)

• Date: 9 February 1984.
• Location: Straits of Malacca.
• The Event: KD Raja Jarom was involved in a second collision, once again with a Japanese tanker.
• Casualties: No fatalities occurred, but the accident injured exactly 3 crew members.

Veteran's Concluding Note:

"Ultimately, everything that transpires is by the will of Allah S.W.T., and there is wisdom behind every event. Whatever mysteries surrounded KD Raja Jarom may simply be a series of strange coincidences—left to the interpretation of the individual, provided it does not lead away from religious faith."

C&P

2/6/2026: 11.39 P.M