
Navy parade drawing large crowds at Penang Esplanade
The event will kick off with the arrival of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, followed by inspection of guards and brass band performances.
Contingents bearing Asean flags will then march in a parade.
The highlight of the event, the helicopter flypast by the Royal Malaysian Navy, is scheduled at 10.20am.
On Friday (Aug 15), a total of 10 warships from the region have arrived at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, marking a display of regional naval strength, trust, and camaraderie ahead of a series of maritime defence events from Aug 15 to 22 under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025.
They are KD Kedah, KD Lekiu and KD Lekir from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as well as UMS Kin Sin Phyu (Myanmar), RSS Vigour (Singapore), BRP Antonio Luna (Philippines), Kri Bung Tomo (Indonesia), VPNS Quang Trung (Vietnam), HTMS Krabi (Thailand) and KDB Darulaman (Brunei).
The parade will include the various contingents' parade, local agency display, cultural performances, maritime asset salutes and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopter flypasts.
Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to tour the docked warships at Swettenham Pier to gain insights into the latest naval technologies.
Penang will take centre stage in regional maritime defence as the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) hosts three key Asean naval events from Aug 15 to 22.
The week-long programme includes the 19th Asean Navy Chiefs' Meeting (ANCM), the Third Asean Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) and the Asean Fleet Review (AFR), with activities across George Town and Batu Ferringhi.
On Tuesday (Aug 19), the ANCM, a high-level meeting of Asean naval commanders, will bring together navy chiefs from all Asean countries to discuss aspects of security, peace and stability in the region's seas at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort in Batu Ferringhi.
Delegates will then attend the Asean Chief Navy (CN) Interaction Programme at Penang Hill on Wednesday (Aug 20), featuring a tree-planting ceremony and the launch of the Asean Harmony Grove by Asean naval leaders to symbolises Asean navies' commitment to the Asean Green Initiative (AGI).
The grand finale, the Asean Fleet Review on Thursday (Aug 21), will see all participating warships sail in formation through the northern strait.
The event will be a spectacle to watch from Butterworth and George Town.
Malaysia assumed the role of Asean Chair 2025 with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," symbolising its aspiration to guide this 58-year-old regional bloc toward a more united, dynamic, and sustainable future.
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The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
A sea of unity flowing in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Rotor blades thundered and steel-grey hulls gleamed as the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) staged an aerial and naval display for the Asean Navies' City Parade at the Esplanade in Padang Kota Lama here. Four helicopters in close formation circled overhead, while five Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC) skimmed the waters in high-speed manoeuvres. The FICs, designed for coastal patrol, surveillance, rapid response, rescue and intercept missions, cut clean lines across the strait to cheers from the crowd. For safety officer Azman Rahim, 42, the event was worth the trip from Butterworth with his wife and children. 'We came with our two young kids because we didn't want to miss this spectacular event. 'The helicopter flyby and navy boats moving in formation are not things you see every day. 'My children were waving the Jalur Gemilang as the boats and ships passed, and I could see the pride in their eyes. 'Events like this remind us of how strong our country stands, not just alone but with our neighbours. Real deal: Curious children taking turns to 'play soldier' with the small arms on display.— LIM BENG TATT/The Star 'I hope my children grow up appreciating the sacrifices of our armed forces and continue to love our country,' he said. On the ground, visitors got the opportunity to hold the navy's small arms under supervision. Rifles such as the M16, M4 Carbine and L7A2 machine gun were displayed for public interaction. Among the curious crowd was seven-year-old Chong Wei Ming, who struggled to lift a weapon almost as long as his arm. 'I like to play soldier at home with toy guns,' he said shyly. 'But this is the first time I have touched a real one. It's so heavy! 'I didn't know real guns are like this.' His father, Henry Chong, 48, said his son always pretends to be a soldier, adding: 'But now he realises it's not just for fun. There's real responsibility and discipline behind it.' The parade featured 23 contingents, including naval crews from eight Asean countries, students, marching bands and cultural performers. The crowd cheering as TLDM officers march in formation along Jalan Padang Kota Lama for the Asean Navies' City Parade in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star They marched past Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and his wife Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah, with Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain and Penang Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang on stage. The parade rekindled memories of the 1990 International Royal Fleet Review, when 59 warships and over 11,000 naval personnel visited Penang. On Friday, 10 warships from Asean navies had berthed at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal ahead of a week of defence events under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship. They are KD Kedah, KD Lekiu and KD Lekir (TLDM), UMS Kin Sin Phyu (Myanmar), RSS Vigour (Singapore), BRP Antonio Luna (the Philippines), KRI Bung Tomo (Indonesia), VPNS Quang Trung (Vietnam), HTMS Krabi (Thailand) and KDB Darulaman (Brunei). The 19th Asean Navy Chiefs' Meeting will take place tomorrow at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort in Batu Ferringhi, followed by the Asean Chief Navy Interaction Programme at Penang Hill on Wednesday, which will include a tree-planting ceremony and the launch of the Asean Harmony Grove. The Asean Fleet Review on Thursday will close the series, with all participating warships sailing in formation through the northern strait. Malaysia holds the Asean Chair for 2025 under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.


New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Historic naval parade returns to Penang
Your browser does not support the audio element. GEORGE TOWN: After 35 years, Penang is back in the spotlight with the Asean Navies' City Parade (ANCP), which took place yesterday at Padang Kota Lama, alongside the state government's Hari Buletin 4.0 celebration. The ANCP is an initiative by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to introduce and promote naval military traditions to the public. It featured a military parade with a contingent of 10 ships from Asean countries, the Malaysian United Cadet Force, the RMN Voluntary Reserve Force and the RMN Veterans Association. Among the highlights were a navy combat boat demonstration and a helicopter fly-past, as well as a silent parade and band performance by the RMN, which captivated thousands of visitors who arrived as early as 6.30am. A total of 301 Asean ship contingents and 388 students from 11 schools — including Penang Free School, SMK(P) St George, SMK Pekula Jaya and SMK Bukit Jambul — joined the event as parade contingents and marching bands. The ship contingents included RSS Vigour from Singapore, KRI Bung Tomo (Indonesia), KPD Darulaman (Brunei), UMS King Sin Phyu Shin (Myanmar), HTMS Krabi (Thailand), VPNS Quang Trung (Vietnam) and BRP Antonio Luna (Philippines). Representing Malaysia were three RMN warships: KD Kedah, KD Lekiu, and KD Lekir. The ANCP was held concurrently with several important regional events, including the 19th Asean Naval Chiefs Meeting, the third Asean Multilateral Naval Exercise and the Asean Fleet Review. It carries its own historical value, recalling the International Royal Fleet Review on May 19, 1990, which involved 59 warships and 11,000 naval personnel from various countries. In recognition of their past service, 30 RMN veterans also participated in the parade at this year's ANCP. Earlier, Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib inspected the main guard of honour led by RMN Lieutenant Commander Mohd Amirul Abdullah Hanan and Lieutenant Abdul Hakim Mohd Sidek, who carried the pennant of the RMN's 23rd Squadron. Also present were Penang Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Datuk Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain and top RMN management. Meanwhile, Naval Region 3 commander First Admiral Mohd Norizal Fahrudin said traditionally, the ANCP was an official parade involving personnel and naval assets from various countries and was usually held in major urban areas. "In celebrating Malaysia's mandate as the 2025 Asean chair, the ANCP also witnessed the unity of regional countries.

Barnama
19 hours ago
- Barnama
ASEAN Navies' City Parade Draws Over 40,000 Visitors In Penang
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Navies' City Parade (ANCP), held in conjunction with the state government's Hari Buletin 4.0 celebration at Padang Kota Lama today, attracted over 40,000 visitors. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) aimed to increase participation and offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the advanced assets and equipment of regional naval fleets. 'The strong turnout, both local and international, reflects the spirit of unity in Penang's diversity,' he said, expressing his gratitude to the RMN for their efforts in ensuring the success of this year's Hari Buletin, during the closing ceremony.