OLD PHOTO : ROYAL MALAYSIAN NAVY (1)

 

HMS Malaya,  a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. Commissioned in 1916, its construction coasts were funded entirely by the Federated Malay States. It served prominently in both World Wars, including the notable Battle of Jutland. 

The main watch bell from the ship, featuring the "1916" inscription is currently preserved at the National Hydrographic Centre at Pulau Indah Naval Base in Selangor, Malaysia. 

The Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSRNVR) was officially formed on 27 April 1934 under the Colonial Naval Defence Act of 1931. It was created by the British Colonial administration to aid the Royal Navy in defending Singapore and the strategic shipping routes around the Malay Peninsula. 

Ref: Wikipedia: Royal Malaysian Navy

Photo of Malay Navy during World War II : Malay Navy in World War II

On April 8, 1949, Singapore Governor Sir Franklin Gimson accepted HMS Pelandok as the first vessel of the Malayan Naval Force. Originally a British Royal Navy Landing Craft Tank (LCT 341), it was converted for coastal patrols during the Malayan Emergency and renamed HMS Sri Perlis in 11.9.1958.

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8 October 1951 - the State Funeral of British High Commissioner Sir Henry Gurney, following his assassination by the Communist insurgent on 6 October 1951 at Fraser Hill. 

The cortege passed by the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, with sailors from the Royal Malayan Navy forming part of the parade. Sir Henry Gurney was laid rest at the Cheras Christian Cemetery. 

1951: Kit Master, a British officer inspecting members of the Malayan Naval Force during a kit inspection in October 1951. Typical items on display include Uniform and apparel, Field Gear & utility and specialised tools that was issued to them. 

13 May 1953 : Admiral Sir Charles Lambe, Commander-in-Chief of the Far East Fleet, inspecting a parade line of personnel from the Royal Malayan navy at Woodlands Naval Base. 

20 November 1953: Rear Admiral A.F. Pugsley, Flag Officer, Malayan Area (1951-1953), giving a farewell address and presenting awards at the Woodlands Naval Base in Singapore. He was honoring officers and men of the Royal Malayan Navy with General Service Medals for anti-bandit operations. 

In this pivotal command role, he oversaw British and Commonwealth Naval Operations aimed at countering the communist insurgency led by the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA). 

23 November 1954 : Governor of Singapore, Sir John Nicoll, conducting an annual inspection of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at the Telok Ayer Basin Base in Singapore.

Telok Ayer Basin served as an operational base for naval forces during the 1950's. It acted as a crucial station for coastal for Coastal patrol vessels and was the principal base of the Singapore Division of the MRNVR. 

However, today this naval base in no longer operative. The entire basin was filled in during late-20th century land reclamation. Today the skyscrapers of Singapore's Central Business District (CDB) and Marina Bay occupy the former naval base's location. 

28 December 1955: Nine Royal Malayan Navy cadets departed from Singapore to undergo officer training at the Royal Naval College at Darmouth, U.K. Among the pioneer's are Tan Sri K.Thanabalasingam (the first Malaysian Chief of the Navy), Dato' Mohd Zain Mohd Salleh, Captain Cheah Leong Voon and others. 

This historic photo show a group of Royal Malayan Navy personnel on a 1956 Sea Training cruise to South Korea aboard the British Royal Navy Frigage HMS Alert. 

The image captures Tunku Abdul Rahman visiting the Royal Malayan Navy (RMN) Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) / Seaward Defence Motor Launch (SDML) No. 3509 at the naval barracks in Woodlands, Singapore, on September 7, 1956. This historic vessel was notably the very first boat transferred to and manned by the Malayan Naval Force in September 1949.

1957: Singapore Women's Auxiliary Naval Service was established in 1957, as part of the Singapore Division of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve back in 1957.

Known affectionately as the "SWAN Sisters", members underwent rigorous training, including sea training.

31 August 1957: three Royal Malayan Navy personnel who officially hoisted the flag of the Federation of Malaya for the first time during the Merdeka Day proclamation. The image identifies the 3 historical figures as Chief Yeoman Awang Salleh (left), ABRO Sharif Kalam (Middle) and LTO Oliver Cuthbert Samuel (right). 

1958 : Chief Melan Suradi (800003) (retired as Lieutenant RMN), alongside his former shipmates from his time serving as a Petty Officer onboard HMMS Sri Pahang. 

31 August 1958: the first anniversary of the Merdeka Day parade.

20 May 1961 : KD Mutiara became the first Royal Malayan Navy vessel to officially received and use the prefix "K.D" (Kapal DiRaja) replacing the British "HMS" (Her Majesty's Ship) designation. The ceremony was presided over by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong at Kuala Klang. 

January 1962 : Commander Charles Thong Yin Sin, seated on the far lest, took command of the vessel KD Temasek, a former Ham-Class inshore minesweeper (Originally HMS Brantingham). Commander Charles Thong's pioneering as one of the first Malayan Officers in the RMN. 

24 October 1963 :  KD Ledang, a Ton-class coastal minesweeper was commissioned into the Royal Malaysian Navy. Originally the British Minesweeper HMS Hexton. 

In July 1981, KD Ledang was sunk in the South China Sea by a direct hit from an Exocet MM38 anti-ship missile fired by KD Ganas. I was onboard KD Ganas during the firing of the Missile. 

12 November 1963 : KD Sri Kelantan (P3142) was officially commissioned into the Royal Malaysian Navy at the HMS Dolphin Naval Base in Portsmouth, U.K. The ship was commanded by Lieutenant K. Thanabalasingam,  Later Rear Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Dato' Seri K.Thanabalasingam, the first Malaysian to be appointed as the Chief of the Navy from 1968 to 1976. 

24 July 1964: The KD Sri Selangor incident occured at St.John's Island in the Singapore Straits during the Malaysian-Indonesian Confrontation. The RMN Patrol Craft engage in a fierce firefight after encountering an armed boat of five Indonesian KKO commandos. The infiltration was successfully countered, resulting in the death of ODET Abdul Samad bin Suliman,alongside injuries to two other Malaysian crew members. 

Abdul Samad Firing Range at the Lumut Naval Base is named in honor of Abdul Samad. 

1964: The first crew of KD Hang Tuah (F433)at United Kingdom. My cousin, Abdul Jalal Othman were among many young sailors sents to Portsmouth to man and bring the flagship back to Malaysian waters. 

1966 / 1971 : MALAYSIAN BASE JETTY

The old photo of the Malaysian Base Jetty in Woodlands, Singapore in 1966 (top) and 1971 (below). It was an essential maritime hub for the Royal Malaysian Navy before moving to Lumut, Perak in the 80's. 

The 400-meter long concrete jetty was officially opened by Tun Abdul Razak, the then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence on 12 May 1966 .

The RMN fleet maintained its main operational base here until the fleet relocated to Lumut, Perak, between 1979 and 1984. The facility then served as a training base until it was officially transferred back to Singapore in December 1997.

Today, the refurbished area forms the core of Woodlands Waterfronts Park. 

1968: Saiful Bahri composed and wrote the lyrics for Samudera Raya, which officially became the anthem of the Royal Malaysian Navy. While Jamaludin Alias was indeed the legendary singer who performed the original vocal recording of Samudera Raya. 

1972 :  Tun Abdul Razak, second Prime Minister of Malaysia, is seen here officiating and touring the Royal Malaysian Navy's newly commissioned frigate, KD Rahmat, in 1972. The ship, originally named KD Hang Jebat was the first major purpose-built warship and missile-equipped vessel in the Malaysian fleet. 

1978: The image show what is widely recognised as the Passing Out Parade of the first intake of women recruits (Laskarnita) in the Royal Malaysian Navy, held in 1978 at the Woodlands Wing of KD Pelandok, Singapore.At that time, the RMN's principal recruit training establishment was still based in Woodlands. KD Pelandok only relocated to Lumut in Perak on 1 November 1979. 

28 MARCH 1978 : KD Sri Rejang officially commissioned, it originally started operations in 1964 as a temporary local naval office in Sibu, Sarawak, before being upgraded and eventually relocated to Sungai Antu. 

KD Sri Rejang served as the only RMN forward riverine base dedicated to counter-insurgency operation in inland waterways, against the North Kalimantan Communist Party. It operated under the Rajang Area Security Command (RASCOM). 

Reference:

1. My Note Book : Brown Water Navy - KD Sri Rejang (1983/84)
2. Overview : What is Brown Water Navy?
3. Zulheimy Maamor: RASCOM HQ Mil - Ops Jala Aman 1, Sibu, Sarawak (1983/84).
4. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Sri Rejang - Memoir seorang Veteran.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

30 July 2026: 5.48 p.m

TRAVELOG 2026: TERENGGANU AND KELANTAN

Lawatan Rombongan dari Lembah Keramat dan AU 4 ke Kelantan dan Terengganu pada 25 - 26 Julai 2026.

Tempat pertama di lawati adalah Pasar Kedai Payang di Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampung Tanjung Kapur, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. 

Terletak berhampiran dengan Terenganu Drawbridge, Jeti Shahbandar dan Kampung Cina. 

Sebuah pasar tradisional terkenal dan ikonik yang terletak di tepi Sungai Terengganu, bandar Kuala Terengganu. Pasar Kedai Payang kini berwajah baru. ]

Kali terakhir saya mengunjungi Pasar Payang ialah pada 2015, iaitu kedai Pasar Payang yang lama dulu. 

Pasar Kedah Payang pada 2026

Kedai Pasar Payang pada 2015

Bazaar Warisan sebuah kompleks perniagaan ikonik yang terletak di Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin di Kuala Terengganu, berhadapan dengan Pasar Kedai Payang. 

Jambatan Angkat Kuala Terengganu yang terletak tidak jauh dari Kedai Pasar Payang, ialah jambatan Imbang (Bascule Bridge) pertama di Malaysia dan Asia Tenggara. Mercu tanda ikonik sepanjang 638 meter ini menghubungkan Muara Selatan di pusat bandar Kuala Terengganu dan Muara Utara di Seberang Takir. 

Ianya dibuka pada kenderaan dan pejalan kaki pada 1 Ogos 2019. Rekabentuknya mendapat ilham daripada Tower Bridge di London yang juga berbentuk jambatan imbang. 

Seterusnya rombongan dibawa mengunjungi Masjid Terapung dan Masjid Kristal, salah satu lagi tarikan pelancong di Terengganu. 

Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, juga dikenali sebagai Masjid Terapung, merupakan masjid terapung pertama di Malaysia dibina di atas platform kongkrit di muara Sungai Ibai di Kuala Terengganu. 

Dibina pada 1991 dan siap pertengahan tahun 1994 dan dirasmikan oleh Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud. 

Taman Awam Lagun Kuala Ibai merupakan kawasan rekreasi keluarga seluas 48 hektar yang terletak bersebelahan dengan Masjid Terapung. Menjadi lokasi kegemaran warga tempatan untuk santai petang dan beriadah. 

Masjid Kristal merupakan sebuah masjid yang terletak dalam kawasan pelancongan Taman Tamadun Islam di Pulau Wan Man di Kuala Terengganu, Trengganu. Dirasmikan pada 8 Februari 2008 oleh Perdana Menteri ketika itu, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Ianya adalah masjid pintar yang pertama di Malaysia yang boleh memuatkan 700 Jemaah.

Restoran Nasi Dagang Atas Tol (cawangan Padang Negara) yang terletak di Jalan Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong di Kuala Terengganu. Menyediakan pelbagai jenis hidangan seperti Nasi Dagang, Gulai Ikan Tongkol/Ayam, Teh Peng Ombak Rindu dsbnya. 

Mayang Mall merupakan destinasi beli-belah yang terletak di Kuala Terengganu. Lokasinya yang strategik menawarkan pemandangan pesisir air yang menghadap terus ke Jambatan Angkut yang ikonik. 

Ianya menempatkan cawangan SOGO yang pertama di wilayah Pantai Timur, sekali gus menjadi tumpuan utama bagi aktiviti riadah, pelancongan dan beli belah di negeri tersebut. 

Disebelah petang, dalam perjalanan ke Kota Bharu, Kelantan, rombongan singgah di beberapa destinasi yang menarik.

Pantai Nami Bachok atau nama sebenarnya ialah Pantai Senok, merupakan tarikan pelancongan popular terletak di daerah Bachok, Kelantan. Pantai ini mendapatkan gelaran "Pulau Nami Malaysia" kerana barisan pokok Rhu dan Pokok Pain yang tumbuh tinggi serta tersusun rapi di pesisir pantai. Landskap unik mewujudkan suasana estetik yang sangat mirip dengan Pulau Nami di Korea Selatan. 

Kenangan di Pulau Nami Korea Selatan pada 2005. 

Jambatan Sultan Yahya Petra, mercu tanda ikonik dan laluan perhubungan utama di Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Jambatan ini merentasi Sungai Kelantan untuk menghubungkan Kampung Sireh dengan Pasir Pekan di daerah Tumpat.

Jambatan ini dibuka pada tahun 1967 dan merupakan laluan awam bertol pertama di Malaysia. Jambatan ini terletak berdekatan dengan AEON Mall Kota Bharu. 

Pondok Pasir Tumbuh @ Madrasah Diniah Bakriah, institusi pengajian Islam tradisional terkemuka di Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Ditubuhkan pada 1954, merupakan antara pondok terbesar di Malaysia yang mengekalkan sistem pengajian kitab turath. 

Pergi Kelantan kalau tak beli budu tak sah...

Pasar Siti Khadijah, sebuah pasar awam ikonik dan pusat perdagangan utama terletak di tengah-tengah pusat bandar Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Mula beroperasi pada 1985, pasar ini terkenal kerana lebih 90% peniaganya adalah wanita. Dinamakan sempena nama isteri Nabi Muhammad s.a.w, Saidatina Khadijah yang juga merupakan seorang ahli perniagaan wanita terkemuka di kota Mekah.

Masjid al-Baro'ah terletak bersebelahan Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah di Jalan Buluh Kubu, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 

Kota Bharu Trade Centre, sebuah kompleks beli-belah dan bangunan komersial pelbagai tingkat terletak di Jalan Buluh Kubu, pusat bandar Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 

Masjid Niujie di Beijing, China

Dikenali dengan nama "Masjid Beijing", merujuk kepada Masjid Jubli Perak Sultan Ismail Petra terletak di Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. Dirasmikan pada Bulan Ogos 2009, seni bina masjid ini amat menyerupai Masjid Niujie yang berusia lebih 1,000 tahun di Beijing, China. 

 

Rumah Hijau Pasir Mas, premis perniagaan bagi Perusahaan Serunding dan Dodol Hajah Wan Sabariah. Terletak di Kampung Lemal sepanjang Jalan Pasir Mas - Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. Dikenali sebagai Rumah Hijau kerana warna hikau dan kuning keemasan serta dihiasi ukiran sarat yang sangat ikonik. 

Masjid Andalusia di Kota Bharu adalah nama gelaran popular bagi Masjid Imanul Fa'izin yang terletak di Kampung Padang Kala, Melor, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Dibina oleh Tuan Haji Ibrahim Mat Sin, Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan agensi umrah terkemuka Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd. Reka bentuk masjid ini diilhamkan daripada Masjid Sheikh Zayed di Abu Dhabi serta gabungan elemen kesenian Andalusia dan Turkiye. 

Masjid Jamek Razaleigh merupakan masjid ikonik dan masjid bandar utama bagi jajahan Gua Musang di Kelantan. Dirasmikan pada April 2022, keunikan masjid ini adalah reka bentuk luar biasa yang menyerupai model Masjidil Haram di Mekkah. 

Diilhamkan oleh bekas Ahli Parlimen Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah bagi menggantikan struktur masjid lama. 

Butik MISSLILIEYGOLD & SUPPLIER SK di Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Kedai ini merupakan pembekal barangan pengguna termasuk barangan kemas emas 916 borong dan kelengkapan ibadah seperti telekung.

Demikianlah serba ringkat laporan lawatan Rombongan Cik Kiah ke Kelantan dan Terengganu.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

28 Julai 2026: 9.29 p.m