NOTEBOOK: KD LEKIR IN INDONESIA

KD Lekir memasuki Pelabuhan Tg.Perak , Surabaya, Indonesia

Here is a comprehensive study notebook based on the personal memoirs and historical notes shared by Royal Malaysian Navy veteran Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor regarding his service on KD Lekir and his voyages to Indonesia.

NAVY VETERAN NOTEBOOK: KD LEKIR IN INDONESIA

• Source Material: Personal Blog of Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor (Royal Malaysian Navy Veteran, 1980–1996)
• Key Themes: Naval Traditions, Indonesian Ports, Historical Landmarks, Cultural Reflections

1. Naval Tradition: Crossing the Equator

• The Certificate: Every sailor or ship crew member who successfully crosses the Earth's equator line is awarded a formal "Crossing the Equator" certificate.
• Significance: This represents a time-honored maritime rite of passage, transitioning sailors from "pollywogs" (untried sailors) to "shellbacks" (experienced mariners).

2. Port of Call Profile: Surabaya, East Java

Surabaya was a primary destination for KD Lekir during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Geographical & Economic Status

• Capital City: It serves as the capital of the East Java Province (Provinsi Jawa Timur).
• Scale: It is the second-largest city in Indonesia.
• Historical Moniker: Known as Kota Pahlawan (City of Heroes) due to the fierce patriotic struggle of its people against colonial forces to secure Indonesian Independence.

Maritime Infrastructure

• Tanjung Perak Port: The primary port entered by KD Lekir. It holds the status of being the second busiest port in Indonesia, surpassed only by Tanjung Priok in Jakarta. It acts as a vital domestic maritime hub connecting Surabaya to other Indonesian port cities.
• Ujung Port: Located adjacent to Tanjung Perak, this is a dedicated ferry port utilized for transporting passengers across to Madura Island.

KD Lekir Deployment Timeline (Surabaya)

The author logged three distinct visits to Surabaya while stationed aboard KD Lekir:

1. 1989 (Maiden voyage of KD Lekir to this port)
2. 1990
3. 1991 (On voyage return from Australia and New Zealand)

Based on the source text provided by Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor, here is the story behind this specific photo:

• The Encounter: While stationed aboard the KD Lekir, the author met this same local girl during his port visits to Surabaya in both 1989 and 1991.
• The Location: She was found right outside the main entrance gates of the Tanjung Perak Port.
• Her Story: She wasn't just a passerby; she worked there helping her family run a small food business/stall located just outside the port area.

It’s a striking side-by-side comparison that serves as a beautiful time capsule—capturing not just her growth over those two years, but symbolizing the personal, human connections sailors made with locals during their overseas deployments.

3. Key Historical & Cultural Landmarks Visited

Sunan Ampel Mosque & Tomb

A major spiritual and architectural landmark visited by the crew during their shore leave.

Feature	Details
The Figure	Sunan Ampel (Raden Achmad Rachmatulloh), a highly revered Islamic scholar who passed away in 1481. He was entrusted by the King of Majapahit to spread Islamic teachings in the region, then known as Ampel Dento.
The Mosque	Built in 1421 AD by Raden Achmad and his followers, it stands as the second-largest mosque in Surabaya.
Architecture	A distinct fusion of ancient Javanese architectural design blending with deeply rooted Arab-Islamic nuances.
Symbolism	Features five unique Gapuro (gateways) which structurally symbolize the Five Pillars of Islam (Rukun Islam).

Makan Sunan Ampel, Surabaya

Pasar Turi - the legendary wholesale trading giant.

Tunjungan Plaza - the modern  high-end, urban entertainment. 

4. Other Regional Deployments

Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands (June 1990)

• Geography: Capital city of the Riau Islands province, located south of Bintan Island, in close proximity to Singapore. It functions as a trading port linking the local islands.
• Historical Significance: Acted as the geopolitical center of the Malay world roughly 500 years ago. Notably, following the Portuguese attack on Malacca in 1511, Sultan Mahmud of Malacca retreated here to seek refuge.

Medan, Sumatra (1987)

• An earlier deployment in the author's naval career, visited while serving aboard the KD Sri Negri Sembilan.

5. Cultural Touchstones: The Tanjung Perak Song

The sights of Tanjung Perak Port frequently evoke nostalgia for a popular 1970s Indonesian Kroncong song. The lyrics highlight the vibrant, communal social life of Surabaya's coast:

"Tanjung perak tepi laut > Siapa suka boleh ikut > Bawa gitar keroncong piul > Jangan lupa bawa anggur..."

Summary Review Questions

1. Which Malaysian vessel visited Surabaya consecutively from 1989 to 1991? (Answer: KD Lekir)
2. What architectural features at the Sunan Ampel Mosque symbolize the Pillars of Islam? (Answer: The five Gapuro/gateways)
3. Why is Tanjung Pinang historically critical to the Malacca Sultanate? (Answer: It served as the refuge for Sultan Mahmud after Malacca fell to invaders in 1511).

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

5 June 2026: 3.32 a.m