a day ago
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'.
