PAHANG - KUANTAN

BY: HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

6 MAY 2024

Kuantan located about 260 km from Kuala Lumpur, a town mix of old and new with modern buildings. It is a capital city of Pahang and has many popular attractions such as Cherating, Pantai Teluk Cempedak, Taman Gelora Kuantan etc..

In its earlier days, Kuantan was known as Kampung Teruntum, situated at the mouht of Teruntum River and was established by settlers from Sumatera, Indonesia. 

1987 & 1992-1995 : KD PANAH & SKTLDM KUANTAN

I served in Kuantan city twice while I was in the Royal Malaysian Navy, therefore I am familiar with the city. The first time was with KD Panah of the 14th Squadron Patrol Craft, based at Pengkalan TLDM Tg. Gelang, Kuantan, Pahang. The second time was with the SKTLDM Kuantan (Naval Communication Station) from 1992 to 1995.

KD Panah is a Royal Malaysian Navy patrol craft vessel of the Kris class that was brought back from the U.K in the 1960s. I was onboard KD Panah from 30 March 1987 to 11 October 1987. KD Panah at that time was from the 14th Squadron Patrol Craft based in Kuantan, Pahang. During the 7 months on KD Panah, I served under 2 Commanding Officers, namely Lt Kdr Zainal Murad and then Lt Zainal Rashid (Diving Officer).

As a patrol vessel based in Kuantan, Pahang, KD Panah's patrol duties are more focused on the South China Sea environment, covering the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area. This includes controlling the invasion of foreign fishermen, especially from Thailand, who carry out illegal fishing activities in Malaysian waters.

SKTLDM Kuantan was established on 4 Dec 83 and placed under the command of the Senior Officer of the TLDM Communication Station based at Fleet Headquarters. On 1 Apr 89, SKTLDM Kuantan was placed under the command of the Commander of Maritime Region 1 (PANGWILLA 1) together with other units that were already in MAWILLA 1. The main task and function entrusted was to provide communication channels to ships in waters off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and ships under the rule of PANGWILLA 1 as well as units under the auspices. Apart from that, SKTLDM Kuantan was established to act as a secondary channel (back-up) of the TLDM communication network in case of the main TLDM communication network at Lumut TLDM Base (SKTLDM Lumut, SKTLDM Parit and SKTLDM Sitiawan). It is more of a strategic network of TLDM communication.

The first Commanding Officer of SKTLDM Kuantan was Lt Kdr Mohd Sharif bin Kalam TLDM N/400329.

MARKAS WILAYAH LAUT 1, TG.GELANG, KUANTAN, PAHANG

TG.GELANG JETTY

Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah 1, Kuantan, Pahang in 1992. It was built in honour of the first ruler of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Al Mu'adzam Shah and was then officiated by Sultan Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah, the former Sultan of Pahang in 1964. 

2014: KUANTAN, PAHANG

After being away from the city of Kuantan for a long time, I finally returned to Kuantan in 2014. This time, I was with Yayasan Jantung Malaysia to conduct a health Screening Program at Kuantan Parade and also at SMK Air Putih.

1. 24 - 28 April 2014 : Kuantan Parade

2. 28 October 2014 - SMK Air Putih, Kuantan

KUANTAN PARADE

KUANTAN, PAHANG

24-28 APRIL 2014

On 24-28 April 2014, I and the Malaysian Heart Foundation team held the "Kuantan Heart Week 2014" Program at the Kuantan Parade Complex, Kuantan Pahang.

Throughout the program, 392 people attended for a Health Screening Test and 96 people had an Electrocardiogram (ECG) Test.

We were assisted by nurses from University College Shahputra (now Widad University College), Kuantan, Pahang. It is a private University College, has established research centers in various fields, including engineering, business and hospitality. 

It began on December 24, 1997 and was fully owned by Shahputra Education Sdn Bhd. 

*** in 2016, University College Shahputra and Kolej Shahputra were rebranded as Widad University College and Widad College respectively. 

Surau Al Mustaqim, located between Teruntum Complex and Kuantan Parade, still exists today. I remember praying here with my friends after hanging out at Complex Teruntum in the 90s. No matter what, Kuantan really left a lot of memories of the past for me.

Kuantan River runs from Sungai Lembing through Kuantan City before flowing out to South China Sea. One section of Kuantan River flows past an ancient mangrove forest which has existed for 500 years. 

Teruntum Complex holds many bittersweet memories of my bachelor days... this is where I used to hang out with my friends when I served in Kuantan around 1992-95. At that time, Kuantan Parade did not exist yet.

During the program in Kuantan, we stayed at Hotel Seasonview, Lorong Haji Abdul Rahman 1, Kuantan. The hotel is located not far from Kuantan Parade, within walking distance. (see map above)

2014 - SMK AIR PUTIH, KUANTAN

Located at Air Putih, Kuantan,Pahang, The Health Check Program was conducted at this school on 28 October 2014. 

23 JULY 2016 : KUANTAN

My colleagues and I from Heart Foundation of Malaysia stopped in Kuantan on our way to SJK (Cina) Gambang for the health checkup program held on 24 July 2016.

2016 - GAMBANG, KUANTAN, TEMERLOH AND MENTAKAB

29 MARCH - 3 APRIL 2017: KUANTAN PARADE

Once again, we were present at Kuantan Parade for the Health Screening program from 29 March to 3 April 2017. We stayed at the Season View Hotel, located behind Kuantan Parade.

29 March - 3 April 2017 : Kuantan Parade

Among the nurses who also assisted in our program were from the Kuantan District Health Office and Kuantan Medical Centre.

Teluk Cempedak or Teluk Chempedak also known as Palm Beach is a famous beach in Kuantan, Pahang. It is located 5 km east from the town centre of Kuantan. It feels good to be back at this beach.

Teluk Cempedak is a complete beach getaway that can be rather busy on weekends as it is the most popular amongst local. 

4 - 8 JULY 2018 : KUANTAN PARADE

The third Health Check Program at Kuantan Parade, which was also my last time participating, was held from 4 to 8 July 2018. This time, we stayed at The V-Hotel, which is located behind Kuantan Parade and is just a short walk away.

4 - 8 JULY KUANTAN PARADE

Throughout the program, we were assisted by nurses from Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital Kuantan and also from Kuantan Medical Centre. Thank you to them for helping us throughout the program.

Those are some of my sweet memories in Kuantan, Pahang. Kuantan has many popular attractions, including Cherating, Pantai Teluk Cempedak, etc..perfect for a trip. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

6 Mei 2024 > 27 Syawal 1445H: 7.08 p.m