MY TRAVEL TO LUMUT, SITIAWAN & SERI MANJONG

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

1 JULY 2024

Lumut town, recalling memories from the time spent serving with the Navy from 1980 to 1996, brings a wave of nostalgia. The vibrant coastal atmosphere, the camaraderie with fellow sailors, and the breathtaking sunsets over the sea are etched in my mind.

I remember the bustling markets where fresh seafood was abundant and the local eateries that served the best dishes, making every meal a delightful experience. The friendships forged during those years were invaluable, as we shared stories and laughter, creating bonds that would last a lifetime.

The Royal Malaysian Navy base was not just a workplace; it was a second home. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the sight of ships coming and going filled my days with purpose and excitement.

As I walk through Lumut today, I can still feel the echoes of those times. The town has transformed, yet the essence remains. Each corner holds a story, a memory that reminds me of the adventures and challenges faced during my service.

Lumut will always be a significant chapter in my life, a place where I grew, learned, and created unforgettable memories.

LUMUT, PERAK

20 SEPTEMBER 2013

On 20 September 2013, the Awareness Team Program Manager, Mr Sallehudin Abdul Malik, and I had attended the Program Coordination Meeting at AEON Seri Manjung, Bandar Seri Manjung, Perak. 

The travel distance from Kuala Lumpur to Lumut is 214 km, and the travel time is 2 hours 56 minutes. 

We stayed at the Galaxy Inn, Jalan Sultan Idris, Lumut, Perak. A budget hotel that provides a clean and comfortable stay for travellers, either on business or on vacation, in the vicinity of Lumut, Sitiawan and Manjung District. 

Located in the main street of Lumut town, a gateway to Pulau Pangkor and within easy walking distance to amenities like Lumut Jetty Terminal, taxi stand, banks, laundry, restaurants, convenient shops, clinics, bus station, etc. 

LUMUT, PERAK

Lumut is a town that is familiar to me because I used to serve with the Royal Malaysian Navy based in Lumut in the 80s and 90s.

Lumut is a coastal town and a mukim of Manjung District, located 84 km from Ipoh and 12 km from Sitiawan. Lumut is a gateway to Pulau Pangkor before establishing Marina Island Pangkor as the second gateway. 

The once little-known small fishing village, Lumut, is now the home base for the Royal Malaysian Navy. 

The photo of the Dewan Bandaran Lumut in 2013, the landmark of Lumut town. In the background you can see the lush greenery of Bukit Ungku Busu. 

This hall was demolished as part of the broader Lumut Waterfront redevelopment project. Today, the area where the old dewan once stood has been transformed into part of the open-air Lumut Waterfront plaza and parking facilities to ease congestion near the jetty.

The abandoned Balai Polis Lama Lumut, located at the end of Lumut town, near the coastal area and not far from the foothills of Bukit Ungku Busu. 

Historically, it sat directly opposite an old hall that previously served as the Old Court Building (Bangunan Mahkamah Lama). 

The new Balai Polis Lumut is centrally located within the town, now serving as the Ibu Pejabat Daerah Manjung (IPD Manjung). 

Meeting up with old friends always brings a sense of joy and nostalgia. I fondly remember Savirimuthu, who served alongside me on board KD Raja Jarom in Woodlands, Singapore, during those formative years of 1981/82. The camaraderie we shared during our service created lasting memories that I cherish to this day.

Our paths crossed again at KD Sri Rejang Naval Base in Sibu, Sarawak, in 1983/84, where we continued to build on our friendship. Those moments spent together, navigating the challenges and adventures of naval life, forged a bond that transcends time.

Reconnecting with Savirimuthu not only allows us to reminisce about our shared experiences but also to celebrate the journeys we've taken since those days. It's a reminder of the strong ties formed during our service and the impact those years had on shaping who we are today.

I look forward to sharing stories, laughter, and perhaps a few heartfelt reflections on our time in the Navy. Here's to rekindling old friendships and creating new memories together!

If you arrive in Lumut, try to look on the left side of the road; you will see an old abandoned wooden house, not demolished for certain reasons. Widely known by the locals as "Rumah Puaka Lumut" (Haunted House of Lumut), it is a well-known landmark for locals and urban explorers due to its mysterious presence on a cleared piece of land. 

A popular local legend claims that the house is "gagal dirobohkan" (failed to be demolished). According to these stories, machinery such as backhoes would mysteriously stall or break down whenever they attempted to tear the building down to make way for development.

SITIAWAN, PERAK

19.9.2013

Sitiawan is a mukim and town in Manjung District, Perak. The residents of Sitiawan are mostly Fuzhounese, a Chinese dialect group. 

Sitiawan is famous for being the home of the late Chin Peng (Ong Boon Hua), the head of the notorious Communist Party in Malaysia. 

Sitiawan is located just 11.9 km from the town of Lumut. We stopped for lunch at Sitiawan. 

Wisma Ganda at Jalan Raja Omar, Sitiawan, left a lot of memories for me because this is where I used to hang out with my friends while serving in the Navy in the 80s and 90s.

Wisma Ganda is now becoming quieter since the establishment of Bandar Seri Manjung. After lunch, I take the opportunity to spend a few minutes at Wisma Ganda, and it saddens me to see that only a few shops are still in operation.

In 2025, Wisma Ganda will remain standing and active as a commercial building, primarily housing various offices and retail outlets. 

SERI MANJONG

Seri Manjung is the town and district capital of the Manjung District of Perak. The town was developed by the State Government of Perak under Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNP) in the 1980s. It is located 7 km from Lumut and 70 km from Ipoh, Perak. 

The Manjung District, formerly known as Dindings, is administered by the Manjung Municipal Council. The district is well known for Pangkor Island, the Royal Malaysian Navy Base at Lumut, etc. The smaller towns included in this district are Lumut, Sitiawan, Ayer Tawar, Pantai Remis, Lekir, Changkat Keruing and Beruas. 

SERI MANJUNG, PERAK

20 SEPTEMBER 2013

I, along with Mr Sallehuddin, Program Manager, had attended the health screening program coordination meeting at AEON Seri Manjung for our upcoming health screening program that will be held at AEON Seri Manjung in November 2013.

The Lead View Hotel at Seri Manjong, during our event in 2013, operates today (2026) under the name Hotel Sfera. 

Yayasan Jantung also organised the Heart Week at AEON Seri Manjong from 22 t0 24 November 2013. 

A total of 203 individuals underwent health screenings throughout the three-day duration of this programme.

Coordinating a meeting at AEON Seri Manjong in 2015. 

WEDDING RECEPTION

TAMAN SAMUDERA

BANDAR SERI MANJUNG

SERI MANJUNG, PERAK

6 SEPTEMBER 2015

Attended the wedding reception of my brother-in-law's niece at Taman Samudera, Seri Manjung, Perak, in conjunction with our family vacation at Lumut, Perak.

1. Perak - Lumut, Sitiawan & Manjong.
2. 2015: Family Trip: Lumut, Perak.

Met an old friend who had served together onboard KD Lekir, a Royal Malaysian Navy Corvette in Lumut, Perak, from 1989 to 1991.

Sadly, Mohd Noor Ishak passed away a few years after our last meeting... Al Fatihah.

In 2013, my experiences in Lumut, Sitiawan, and Seri Manjong were filled with nostalgia and a sense of connection to my past.

Lumut, with its vibrant coastal charm, reminded me of my days serving in the Royal Malaysian Navy. The bustling streets and the familiar sights brought back memories of camaraderie and adventure. I recall the warmth of the locals and the delicious seafood that was a staple in the area. The transformation of the town, especially with the Lumut Waterfront redevelopment, was a bittersweet reminder of how much had changed since my time there.

Sitiawan, just a short drive from Lumut, held a special place in my heart. I often visited Wisma Ganda, where I spent countless hours with friends during my Navy days. The nostalgia was palpable as I walked through the quieter streets, reflecting on the vibrant life that once filled the area. The rich cultural heritage of the Fuzhounese community added a unique flavour to the town, making it a memorable stop on my journey.

In Seri Manjong, the health screening programme I attended was a testament to the community's commitment to well-being. The AEON mall buzzed with activity, and it was heartening to see so many people participating in the health initiatives. The Lead View Hotel, now known as Hotel Sfera, served as a reminder of the passage of time and the evolution of the places I once knew.

Each location was not just a point on the map but a chapter in my life, filled with stories, friendships, and experiences that shaped who I am today. The memories of Lumut, Sitiawan, and Seri Manjong in 2013 will always hold a special place in my heart.

FURTHER READING:

1. 2015 - FAMILY TRIP TO LUMUT

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

5/11/2026: 11:03 p.m.