PERAK : LUMUT NAVAL BASE

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

25 JUNE 2024

Lumut, Perak is a coastal town and mukim in Manjung District, Perak, situated about 84 km southwest of the state capital city of Ipoh, 12 km from the town of Sitiawan.

It is the main gateway to Pangkor Island before established Marina Island Pangkor as second gateway. From the little-known fishing town, Lumut is now a home base of the Royal Malaysian Navy and the site of the biggest naval shipbuilder in Malaysia, Boustead. 

I was among the first group of Royal Malaysian Navy recruits who received training at the newly operational Naval Base in Lumut on 15 January 1980.

LUMUT NAVAL BASE

LUMUT, PERAK

15 JANUARY 1980

Intake 139/80 made a mark in the history of the Royal Malaysian Navy as the first group of recruits to be trained at the RMN base in KD Pelandok, Lumut, Perak. Previously, recruit training was conducted in Sembawang, Singapore.

Lumut Naval Base is a Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, Perak about 214 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia's largest naval base. It has served as RMN HQ since 9 September 1984. 

The idea of having Naval facilities in Malaysian soils came from the first Malaysian to be appointed as Chief of Naval Staff IN 1967, Commodore Datuk K. Thanabalasingam. Not until 1969 did the Government decided that firm plan should be mad for the building of naval base in Peninsula Malaysia. 

A German consulting firm F.H. KOCKS KG was appointed and a detailed feasibility study for the construction of naval base completed in 1972. 

Lumut was chosen as the location of the TLDM base because the land of 1,800 acres is very suitable from the point of view of geology, defense and the depth of the sea which is very suitable for a naval base.

"Naval Study Team" was formed consisting of 2 TLDM officers at that time, namely Commander V. Ramachandran as Head of Operations and Planning and Lt. Cdr. T.A. Scully as Engineering Officer.

Approval was given by the Government and construction work began in January 1973.

Another German firm appointed to study and build the TLDM Shipyard in Lumut is Thyssen Rheinstahl Technik who will collaborate with F.H. KOCKS KG.

The first group of young started their training here on January 14, 1980, which was the intake of 139/80.

This group completed training on 26 June 1980 and was the first group to complete the training at Lumut Naval Base.

TAN SRI K. THANABALASINGAM

The first batch of RMN recruits arrived at RMN Base on 14 January 1980.












Seamanship

The Admin Block as today

Background : the Drill Shed & Parade Ground under construction

The Parade Ground Today 

Lumut Base Jetty still under Construction

Lumut Base Jetty as today

The Bachelor's Barrack

The Married Quarters

Masjid An-Nur, Lumut Naval Base

Intake 139/80 - The first batch to be trained at Lumut Naval Base, Lumut, Perak

The first batch of women recruits to be trained at Lumut Naval Base, 1981

Communication School where I was trained as a Naval Communicator

Background: Lumut Base Jetty still under construction

'Bukit Kamal' is the name of a hill that is particularly popular among Navy recruits in Lumut. Gunnery Instructor Mohd Kamal, who was a drill instructor at KD Pelandok at the time, used to utilize this hill to punish recruits who made mistakes by having them run up and down it multiple times, and the recruits named this hill after him. 

Auditorium M.Sidek Shabudin,next to KD Pelandok Parade Ground, Lumut, Perak. This hall is named after the late Commander of Sea Region 1, the late N400090 Commodore Mohamed Sidek Shabudin, who died on April 28, 1979.

Commodore Mohd Sidek Shabudin has also been the head of the Royal Malaysian Navy Base Project in Lumut, Perak. But fate determines everything. The late Commodore Mohd Sidek Shabudin did not have a chance to see the development of the Lumut Naval Base, where he was the project leader.

Lapangsasar Abdul Samad, located at Pengkalan TLDM Lumut, Perak, is named after ABRM Abdul Samad bin Suliman, a crew member of KD Sri Selangor who was killed in action in battle with the Indonesian Commando Corps (KKO) during the Confrontation on July 24, 1964.

When this Lapangsasar was inaugurated, I could not find the exact date because it it can't be found in a google search or reference books. As far as I remember, this shooting range was opened when I was still a recruit in 1980 because I was from the first batch of TLDM recruits (Intake 139/80) in Lumut, Perak.

My friends and I have a lot of wonderful, enduring recollections of Lumut from our first arrival in January 1980. Indeed, experiences with my friends going through recruit training provide us with a lot of bittersweet memories that we will never forget. Our friends who have gone to meet their creator are in our prayers. Al Fatihah.

1980 - SITIAWAN, PERAK

Next to Lumut town is Sitiawan, a mukim and town in Manjung District, Perak. A quintessential small town with a large Chinese population, a town where in the early 80's, my friends and I often used to relax and have fun after work and weekends before the existence of the new town of Seri Manjung.The existence and rapid development of Bandar Seri Manjung have caused Sitiawan to become increasingly marginalized.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

27 June 2024 : 20 Zulhijjah 1445H; 12.49 a.m

PERAK : FROM TAIPING WITH LOVE

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

23 JUNE 2024

Perak is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia with a total land of 21,035 sq.km. Once the centre of the tin mining industry in Malaysia. Perak is now one of the most developed areas in the northern region. It is often referred to as the "Silver State" due to the importance of silver in its history.

Perak is where I was born on July 2, 1961 in Taiping, Perak.So I started my writing about Perak starting with Taiping because that's where I was born.

TAIPING, PERAK

FEBRUARY 2003

My family and I went on vacation to Taiping, Perak on February 2, 2003. I was very happy and had long dreamed of setting foot in Taiping because it is the place where I was born.

The travel distance from Kuala Lumpur to Taiping is 276 km and takes 3 hours to travel.

I was born in this house on July 2, 1961. After 42 years had passed (1961 - 2003), it was the first time I could see the house where I was born on July 2, 1961. Something that cannot be described in words, I was moved because the house still existed even though it had been left uninhabited.

HOTEL SERI MALAYSIA TAIPING

2 FEBRUARY 2003

Located at Jalan Sultan Mansor, Taman Tasik Taiping, set next to Taman Tasik Taiping, public garden and lake, a humble affordable hotel is a 10-minute walk from Taiping Zoo and 3 km from Taiping Railway station. 

My family and I stayed at this hotel throughout our vacation here, a comfortable and suitable hotel for a family vacation.

PERAK MUSEUM, TAIPING

3 FEBRUARY 2003

Built in 1882, the Perak Museum is the oldest Museum in Malaysia. It is located along Jalan Muzium, Taiping, 85 km from Ipoh. The history of Perak comes alive through various display of zoology, pre-history, economy and ethnology. The museum housed an impressive collection of archaeological treasures that reflect Perak's rich historical heritage, including ancient weaponry, aboriginal implements and ornaments. 

www.jmm.gov.my/ms/muzium/muzium-perak

ZOO TAIPING & NIGHT SAFARI

3 FEBRUARY 2003

Zoo Taiping holds the distinction of being the only zoo in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Spread across 34 acres of pristine land within the Taiping Lake Gardens, Zoo Taiping features both native and exotic wildlife in lush surroundings. An interesting highlights here is the Night Safari which allows visitors to observe nocturnal animals carrying on with their nightly activities through the use of special lighting. 

https://zootaiping.gov.my/en

 

Our memories when we stopped to pray at the Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar on our way back to Kuala Lumpur.

Ubudiah Mosque officially opened in 1917, it is the Royal Mosque of Perak. Considered to be one of the most beautiful mosque in the country, located at Bukit Chandan in Kuala Kangsar. 

Sungai Perak is the 'River of Life' for Perak state in Malaysia. It flows over 400 km that covers 70% of the state lands. The second longest river in Peninsular Malaysia. 

TAIPING, PERAK

6 FEBRUARY 2013

It has been 10 years since the last time I was in Taiping, which was in February 2003 during our family vacation. 

This time my arrival in Taiping on 6 February 2013 was only to stay overnight as we were on our way back to Kuala Lumpur after attending the Health Screening Program at SMK Berapit, Bukit Mertajam, Penang on 5-6 February 2013.

Bukit Mertajam to Taiping, Perak is only 83.3 km, just 1 hour 16 min drive. We stayed at The Legend Inn, Taiping located at Jalan Long Jaafar, Kg. Jambu, Taiping, Perak. 

2014 - TAIPING, PERAK

The Health Screening at Taiping Pacific Mall from 31 October - 2 November 2014. 

2014 - TAIPING PACIFIC MALL

2015 - TAIPING,PERAK

AEON MALL TAIPING

30 JULY 2015

On 30 July 2015, my colleagues and I stopped over for the night in Taiping, Perak on our way back to Kuala Lumpur as soon as the Health Screening Program at Intel Corp., Bayan Lepas, P. Pinang completed on 29 July 2015.

Before checking in to the Legend Inn Hotel in Taiping, we first stopped at AEON Mall Taiping to check out the suitability of this place for our upcoming Heart Week program.

AEON MALL TAIPING

26 AUGUST 2015

On August 26, 2015, I and Mr. Salehuddin Malek, Awareness Program Manager, attended the Health Screening Program Coordination meeting at AEON Mall Taiping in Taiping, Perak.

The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the upcoming Heart Week program proposed at AEON Mall Taiping.

We stayed at Panorama Hotel located in Jalan Kota, Taiping, Perak. The hotel is set 1 km from Taiping Lake Gardens and Zoo Taiping. The hotel surrounded by shops and restaurants, there is a coffee house in this hotel, one of the oldest in Taiping. 

We had our dinner at this restaurant that night

TAIPING LAKE GARDENS

26 AUGUST 2015

Mr. Salleh and I spent some time at Taiping Lake Gardens before checking in to the hotel.

Opened in 1880. the Taiping Lake Gardens is the first cultivated gardens in Malaysia and still among the country's best. Located near Bukit Larut and spread over 64 hectares, this beautifully-landscaped park boasts ten scenic lakes and ponds, a Japanese garden, charming bridges and jogging tracks, surrounded by an astounding variety of tropical flora. Facilities included a roller-skating rink, playground and paddleboats. 

2017 - TAIPING, PERAK

TAIPING BUDDHIST SOCIETY

JALAN MUZIUM HULU, TAIPING, PERAK

17 DECEMBRE 2017

On 16 December 2017, I and the Awareness Team of Yayasan Jantung Malaysia left our office at Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra (formerly Jalan Semarak) in Kuala Lumpur heading to Taiping, Perak for our Community program at Taiping Buddhist Society.

On the way we stopped at R&R RTC in Gopeng for lunch and rest.R&R RTC (Rural Transformation Centre) located at Gopeng, Perak provides a variety of amenities and facilities for the convenience of North-South Highway users which include the Mydin Mall Supermarket, Agrobazaar, Surau, Food Court children's playground etc. 

In Taiping we stayed at the Cherry Inn located at Jalan Stesen, Taiping, Perak. A small hotel of choice for many travellers, comfort and convenience, it offers an array of amenities designed for travellers like me. 

At Cherry Inn, your comfort and satisfaction come first, and they look forward to welcoming you to Taiping.

Jalan Panglima Ah Chong, about 220 meter from S.K. King Edward VII Taiping, Perak. So Ah Chong was the leader of the Ghee Hin Society. However the Malay Chief during Larut War honored him by calling him Panglima Ah Chong for his contribution for the economy of Taiping

British colonial era Chinese heritage architecture style

The famous Ansari Cendol in Jalan Berek, Taiping. Ansari Cendol was founded by Abdul Kader, who opened his cendol stall in 1940. This sweet and creamy concoction had a mix of tastes and textures.

I had read about Ansari Cendol in online articles before coming to Taiping. It was not hard to find Ansari Famous cendol for first timers like us, just a walking distance from our hotel. We sat in the shop to enjoy our cendol and rojak and we saw that people kept coming on to 'tapau'. For sure, this shop is very famous in Taiping. It is a must try cendol if you are in Taiping especially at Jalan Berek or Jalan Stesen. 

Taiping Rest House built as the residence of the British Governor of the Straits Settlements in 1879. It is credited as the first Rest House in the Malay States. 

Do you know that Malaysia's first railway station was situated in Taiping and was opened in 1885 when the Taiping-Port Weld Railway Line, the Malaysia's first was opened. 

The current modern station is the third railway station to be built in Taiping. It was part of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project which was completed in 2014. 

Wikipedia : Taiping Railway Station

Sekolah Kebangsaan Kign Edward VII, formerly King Edward VII School, is the oldest-standing school in Taiping, established in 1883. The school was named King Edward VII in conjunction with the coronation of King Edward VII, successor of Queen Victoria. 

My late brother used to study at this school during the 60s when our father, who was a soldier, was stationed in Taiping.

TAIPING WAR CEMETERY

The final resting place for Allied personnel who were killed during World War II, particularly the Malayan Campaign. The cemetery located at Bukit Larut, Taiping was erected and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

Among 850 Allied Soldiers buried here, 6 soldiers are from Taiping who was killed in Action during World War II. They are:

1. Captain Ong Kim Sai

2. Lt. Sgt. Khoo Heng Peng

3. Corporal Chan Kam Weng

4. Pvt. Tang Bee Choon

5. Pvt. Lim Poh Aun

6. Pvt Abdul Rahman bin Ahmad

HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM

TAIPING BUDDHIST SOCIETY

JALAN MUZIUM HULU, TAIPING, PERAK

17 DECEMBER2017

We held a Heart Disease Health Check at Taiping Buddhist Society located on Jalan Muzium Hulu, Taiping. The distance is only 1.1 km from our hotel.

A total of 144 people underwent health checks throughout the program from 9 am to 2 pm.

Taiping is worth visiting for its history, culture and food. Beautiful lake garden, colonial architecture and the oldest hill resort. 

Do you know that Taiping is known as "Town of many firsts", The Taiping Municipal Council records a total of 40 firsts in the country under Taiping's belt. Check the following website for the 'many firsts' in Taiping. 

1. Sembangkuala - 40 "firsts" of Taiping

2. Malaysia Tourism - Discover some of 'Malaysia's Firsts' via Taiping's Heritage Trail. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

25 June 2024 > 18 Zulhijjah 1445H: 5.44 p.m