ROYAL MALAYSIAN NAVY : MY SEA SERVICES (1981-1991)

KD GANAS (P3503)

1st Squadron, Fast Attack Craft (Missile)

Woodlands, Singapore (1981)

3.2.1981 - 27.7.1981

After completing my Basic Radio Communication course at KD Pelandok in Lumut, Perak, I was assigned to KD Ganas, based in Woodlands, Singapore from 3 February 1981 till 27 July 1981. 

KD Ganas was a Perdana-class Fast Attack Craft (Missile) equipped with the Exocet MM 38 Missile system. It was commissioned on 20 March 1973 in Cherboug, France alonside with 3 other sister ships in the 1st Squadron : KD Perdana (P3501), KD Serang (P3502) and KD Ganyang (P3504). 

The first Commanding Officer of KD Ganas was Cdr. Muhammad Yasin bin Hj Salleh. During my deployment, the Commanding Officer was Lt.Cdr. Abdul Rashid Md Isa TLDM N/400438. 

The most unforgettable memory during my 6-month On-Job-Training occured in July 1981 during the holy month of Ramadan. KD Ganas participated in live-fire missile firing exercise in the Singapore Straits, successfully targeting and sinking the decommissioned vessel ex-KD Ledang. 

All photo of my services at KD Ganas, click the link KD Ganas below. 

http://zulheimymaamor.blogspot.com/2012/06/kd-ganas-1981.html

KD RAJA JAROM (A1502)

32nd Sealift Squadron

Woodlands, Singapore

28.7.1981 - 28.6.1982

After spending 6 months onboard KD Ganas, I was transferred to KD Raja Jarom on 28 July 1981, which was undergoing refitting at the Malaysian Shipyard & Engineering at Pasir Gudang, Johor.

The Commanding Officer during my deployment was  Cdr. Zainal Dali and the Executive Officer was Lt.Cdr. Zainal Talib. 

KD Raja Jarom was a former U.S Navy LST-542 class Landing Ship Tank named USS Seggewick County (LST-1123). It saw active duty during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam war. 

The ship was transferred to Malaysia in 1976 and officially commisioned on 19 February 1977. It sailed back from San Francisco Bay via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

KD Raja Jarom was of the 32nd Sealift Squadron together with KD Sri Langkawi (A1500) and KD Sri Bangi (A1501). 

Operations , Mission & Incident

• OPS Terumbu - Layang-Layang Island : KD Raja Jarom was actively involved in transporting structural construction equipment to Terumbu Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef) in the disputed Spratly Islands region off Sabah. Refer: KD Raja Jarom & The Swallow Reef (1982). 
• Ancient Cannon of Pulau Aur: the ship executed a special mission assigend by the Sultan of Johor to retrieve ancient historical cannons from Pulau Aur, loated roughly 35 nautical miles of Mersing, Johor. 
• National Day Parade (1981) : Several of our crew members represented the Southern Zone of the RMN at the 1981 National Day Parade at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. 
• The Buffalo Rock collision:  at 19 December 1982, KD Raja Jarom collided with a Japanese Tanker named Syoru Maru at Buffalo Rock in the Singapore Strait. The tragic incident claimed the live of 3 crew members whom I knew personally. Refer: The History and Mystery of KD Raja Jarom (A1502).

KD Raja Jarom was decommissioned on 9 September 1999. 

Ref: 

1. Zulheimy Maamor : KD Raja Jarom (photo available of my services onboard the ship)
2. Zulheimy Maamor: Pelanggaran KD Raja Jarom dan Misteri Meriam Purba Pulau Aur.

KD SRI REJANG

(Riverine Craft)

Sibu, Sarawak

28.3.1983 - 24.11.1984

My historical memoir, the text outlines of my service at KD Sri Rejang in Sibu, Sarawak from 28 March 1983 till 24 November 1984, detailed alongside the strategic operational role of the base within the Rajang Area Security Command (RASCOM) in fighting communist insurgent in Sarawak. 

The commanding Officer during my deployment at KD Sri Rejang was Cdr. Tajuddin bin Yahya and later Cdr. Ahmad Kamal. 

Operating as a specialised Riverine Forces (Brown Water Navy), the crew navigated muddy interior of Rejang River to transport infantry units (RAMD, RRD, Commandos and PPH), the Sarawak Border Scouts and heavy artillery. The base utilised 3 main types or riverine craft : 

1. Riverine Craft Personnel (RCP): high-speed combat river craft heavily armed with 20mm Oerlinkon cannons, heavy SLR L2A1 rifles and light machine guns. 
2. Landing Craft Personnel (LCP): used for deploying troops directly onto remote riverbanks.
3. Landing Craft Merchanised (LCM): utilised for transporting logistics across the Rajang River network. 

Among the historic incidents during my deployment, was the RCP Gas leaking Explosion in November 1983, injuring 2 crew members and the Sinking of KD Sri Perak on 8 January 1984. KD Hang Tuah and KD Sri Trengganu (the remaining vessels) were forced to shelter at KD Sri Rejang Sri Igan Jetty, while the Riverine Craft crews went on high alert. 

Refences:

1. Zulheimy Maamor: Suatu Ketika Dahulu - Sungai Rejang, Sibu, Sarawak. 
2. Zulheimy Maamor : From Lembah Keramat to Rejang River. 
3. My Notebook: Brown Water Navy - KD Sri Rejang (1983/84).
4. KD Sri Rejang: Memoir Seorang Veteran. 

KD PENDEKAR

2nd Squadron,Fast Attack Craft (Missile)

MSE, Pasir Gudang, Johor

25.11.1984 - 5.1.1985.

My shortest service among the RMN Ships was KD Pendekar, in which I only served on for 1 month, 11 days onboard. The ship was under maintenance at Malaysian Shipyard and Engineering at Pasir Gudang, Johor. 

KD Pendekar was under the 2nd Squadron, Fast Attack Craft (Missile), comprised of 4 ships : KD Handalan, KD Perkasa, KD Pendekar and KD Gempita. This squadron often referred to 'Spica-M). 

Built by the Karlskronavarvet AB shipyard in Sweden. Construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1979. It was officially commisioned on 21 August 1979. The first Commanding Officer was Major (Navy) Ng Chin Phing. 

During my short stint on this ship, it was under the command of Lt.Cdr Mazlan bin Ahmad TLDM N/400474. 

I served for just a month before my named was selected for the Advanced Promotion Course (Kursus Laskar Kanan KMR) at KD Pelandok, meaning that KD Pendekar was the only ship that I had never got chance to actually sail with. 

Reference: Zulheimy Maamor : KD Pendekar

KD MUTIARA

36th Hydrographic Squadron

Lumut, Perak

26.8.1985 - 1.5.1986

I was drafted to KD Mutiara, 36th Hydrographic Squadron based at Lumut, Perak after completing the Leading Hand Communication course at KD Pelandok. 

KD Mutiara, a survey Ship of RMN, was built in Penang by Hong Leong Lurssen Dockyard and entered RMN service on 18 December 1977, under pennant number A 255. 

The ship conducted hydrographic surveys, meteorological observations and oceanographic research to produce 50 essentials nautical charts for safe sea navigation. 

I served onboard KD Mutiara for exactly 9 months. The Commanding Officer during my deployment was Cdr. Husaini Bin Abdullah TLDM N/4000355. 

Unforgettable memories serving at KD Mutiara a voyage to India and Republic of Maldives together witjh KD Hang Tuah (F76) through the rough and stormy waters of the Bengal Bay at Indian Ocean. 

The 1985 Overseas Voyage

• The Journey: KD Mutiara sailed alongside KD Hang Tuah (F76) to India and Republic of Maldives, through the rough and stormy waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.
• Maldives: Visited the coral archipelago country, highlighting local Islamic historical landmarks like the Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam Mosque.
• India: Docked at the port of Madras (now Chennai). The crew visited a regional film studio and passed by the residence of the famous actor and then-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M.G. Ramachandran.

I was drafted to Ministry of Defence at Kuala Lumpur on 2 May 1986, but only served for 4 months. 

Final Salute: After 41 years of service and covering a distance equivalent to sailing around the world six times, KD Mutiara was officially decommissioned on July 20, 2018. The ceremony was overseen by Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman.

References:

1. Zulheimy Maamor: 1985 - KD Mutiara and Indian Ocean.
2. The Service Notebook: KD Mutiara (A 255) - Passage to India & Republic of Maldives. 
3. Zulheimy Maamor: Dalam Kenangan - KD Mutiara.
4. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Mutiara 1985-1986.

KD GANYANG

1st Squadron Fast Attack Craft (Missile)

Lumut, Perak

8.9.1986 - 29.3.1987

After service only 4 months at Ministry of Defence at Kuala Lumpur, I was sent back for a duty onboard a ship, this time KD Ganyang, from the 1st Squadron, Fast Attack Craft (Missile) base at Lumut, Perak. 

I served onboard KD Ganyang from 8 September 1986 until 29 March 1987. The Commanding Officer was Lt.Cdr. Mohd Yusof bin Sabudin TLDM N/401184. 

My stint on the ship was cut short following a physical alteration with superior while at sea on passage to Labuan. 

After receiving a disciplinary sentence and sussequent transfer endorsement from Commanding Officer, I was reassigned to KD Panah at Kuantan, Pahang. 

Ref: Zulheimy Maamor: KD Ganyang

KD PANAH

14th Squadron Patrol Craft

Kuantan, Pahang

30.3.1987 - 11.10.1987

I was drafter to KD Panah, from the 14th Squadron Patrol Craft based at Tanjung Gelang, Kuantan, Pahang. 

KD Panah, a Kris-class Patrol Craft was built in United Kingdom and acquired by RMN in 1960's. 

I served onboard KD Panah for 7 months, eventhough only 7 months, I had served under 2 Commanding Officer, Lt.Cdr. Zainal Murad  and Lt. Zainal Rashid. 

Out ship in this squadron, patrolled the South China Sea, focusing heavily on Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The main duty of this squadron as preventing maritime encroachments, specifically illegal fishing by foreign vessels. 

Confrontation with foreigh fisherman, predominantly from Thailand, they were dangerous and aggressive. Our ship had recounts an incident where a Thai Fishing boat attempted to ram KD Panah before the crew successfuly intercepted and detained it. 

Personal Memories & Crew Life

• Rest & Recreation: During downtime, the crew anchored near islands to recuperate. Pulau Tioman was their most frequent rest destination.
• Cross-Border Trips: The crew would sometimes travel from Pengkalan Kubur (Kelantan) via boat across the border to Tak Bai, Thailand, for shopping and dining.
• Hari Raya at Sea: A poignant memory includes spending Hari Raya Aidilfitri deployed in pitch-black waters. The cook prepared traditional festive foods like nasi himpit and rendang, and the commanding officer permitted the crew to shoot flares into the night sky to celebrate.

References:

1. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Panah 1987.
2. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Panah dan Laut China Selatan.
3. Notebook: KD Panah, 14th Squadron Patrol Craft (1987).
4. Travel Info: KD Panah & Tak Bai, Thailad (1987).

KD SRI NEGRI SEMBILAN

12th Squadron Patrol Craft

Lumut, Perak

12.10.1987 - 28.3.1988

I was drafted to KD Sri Negri Sembilan on 12 October 1987 and had served for 5 months as a Senior Radio Operator. 

KD Sri Negri Sembilan, from the 12th Squadron Patrol Craft based at Lumut, Perak, was a Sri Sabah-class built by Vosper Ltd in Portsmouth, England. It was commissioned into service on September 28, 1964. The first Commanding Officer as Lt.Cdr. Mohd Zain bin Mohd Salleh, who later rose to become the Chief of Navy on January 1, 1977. 

During my deployment, the Commanding Officer was Lt.Mior Rosdi bin Mior Mohd Jaafar,  who was also with me at KD Ganas as Navigation Officer in 1981. 

Operational History and Key Events:

• Pulau Bidong Operations: The vessel operated around Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, which served as a major UNHCR refugee transit camp from 1978 to 1991. The crew monitored the area to secure and safeguard the thousands of arriving Vietnamese and Cambodian "boat people" fleeing regional conflicts.
• Joint Exercises and Indonesia Visit: In November 1987, the ship participated in the Operational Sea Training Exercise (OSTEX) in the Malacca Strait. Following the drills, they docked at Belawan Port in Medan, Sumatra, under the command of Lt. Mior Rosdi bin Mior Mohd Jaafar. During a recreational visit to Lake Toba, a crew member from the sister ship KD Serampang reportedly fell ill due to local black magic following a verbal dispute with a local trader, though he was eventually cured after officers intervened with a tribal chief and a local shaman.

The ship was officially decommissioned by the RMN in 2006 and transferred to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) where it was renamed KM Nyireh. 

On 30 March 2017, the vessel was handed over to the Department of Marine Parks Malaysia. It was intentionally scuttled on April 20, 2017, at the Pulau Payar Marine Park Biodiversity Conservation Site in Kedah to serve as an artificial reef. 

References:

1. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Sri Negri Sembilan.
2. Notebook: KD Sri Negri Sembilan (1987).
3. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Sri Negri Sembilan (1987-1988).

KD LEKIR

22nd Corvette Squadron

Lumut, Perak

7.8.1989 - 4.12.1991

KD Lekir from the 22nd Corvette Squadron, named after Hang Lekir, one of the five Malay legendary warriors of the Melaka Sultanate during the 15th Century. 

A Kasturi-class corvette based at Lumut, Perak, it was built by the Blohm + Voss (HDW) Shipyard in Kiel, West Germany and was commissioned on August 15, 1984. It first Commanding Officer was Cdr. Ramly bin Abu Bakar. 

Configured to handle air, surface and sub-surface threats. It features a 100mm/55 DP main gun and MM40 Exocet Surface-to-Surface Missiles. 

The Commanding Officer of KD Lekir during my deployment was Capt. Noor Azman Hj Othman TLDM N/400404. 

Operational History (1989-1991)

• High-Profile Escort (1989 CHOGM): KD Lekir served as the official escort ship for HMY Britannia, which carried Queen Elizabeth II to Kuala Lumpur to open the 11th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
• International Deployments: The ship routinely performed patrols off the Malay Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak (guarding offshore oil platforms in Miri and Bintulu) and Swallow Reef. It made operational port calls to Surabaya, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
• Fleet Reviews: Participated in the RMN International Royal Fleet Review in Penang (May 1990) and the Royal New Zealand Navy International Royal Fleet Review in Auckland (1991).
• Joint Defense Drills: Routinely joined Exercise Starfish (1990 and 1991), a multi-lateral maritime warfare exercise under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) involving Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
• LIMA Langkawi Inauguration (1991): The corvette took part in the very first Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition on November 11, 1991. 

KD Lekir was my final ship as I had actively served on prior to concluding my 16-year naval career in 1996. 

References:

1. Zulheimy Maamor: KD Lekir.
2. KD Lekir : Voyage to Hong Kong & South Korea (1990).
3. Notebook: KD Lekir in Indonesia. 
4. Memory Notebook: The 1991 RMN Deployment (KD Lekir & KD Mahawangsa).
5. Note Book : The 1990 Penang International Royal Fleet Review.
6. Zulheimy Maamor : 1990 - Penang International Royal Fleet Review. 
7. KD Lekir: New Zealand IRFR 1991. 
8. KD Lekir : Australia, 1991.
9. KD Lekir: Hong Kong, 1990.
10. KD Lekir: South Korea, 1990.
11. KD Lekir: Surabaya, 1989, 1990 & 1991.

Based on my dedicated 16-year career in the Royal Malaysian Navy spanning from 1980 to 1996, the summary of my memories sailing the vast ocean. 

Over 16 year in the Navy, I had served aboard 9 different ships and across 3 shore bases, proudly spending the vast majority of my active service deployed directly at sea rather that stationed at the Lumut base infrastructure. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

30 August 2026: 10.16 p.m