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The Star
10 hours ago
- General
- 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'.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sultan Nazrin launches book honouring MMEA's 20th anniversary
PUTRAJAYA: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today graced the launch of the 'Helang Samudera: Perisai Maritim' coffee table book by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The 180-page book, published in conjunction with the agency's 20th anniversary, reflects the dedication of MMEA as the country's key institution in safeguarding national maritime security. The launch was also attended by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, his Deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah. In his speech, Saifuddin Nasution described the book's publication as a meaningful tribute to the nation's maritime heroes who have risked their lives over two decades to defend the sovereignty of the country's waters. 'This book is not merely a historical documentation but a valuable treasure that showcases the courage, resilience and dedication of MMEA personnel in addressing cross-border crimes, maritime intrusions and high-risk rescue operations,' he said as he expressed appreciation for the dedication of MMEA personnel. He also touched on the acquisition of vessels and helicopters to enhance the agency's maritime defence and enforcement capabilities. The MMEA is set to receive a new flagship vessel from Turkiye, the Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS), which is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027. The MPMS can operate continuously for 30 days and is equipped with modern assets, including four Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC), two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a helicopter landing deck, medical facilities and a detention centre. Measuring 99 metres in length, the vessel can accommodate a crew of 70 and carry 30 passengers. It will primarily patrol the South China Sea, addressing foreign vessel intrusions and illegal fishing activities. It also aims to combat transnational crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking. The Home Ministry has also finalised the procurement of four helicopters worth RM600 million for the MMEA. The coffee table book, published by Universiti Putra Malaysia in collaboration with the National Book Development Foundation, features high-quality visual narratives and real-life operational stories that have never been shared with the public. To broaden public awareness of MMEA's role, the book will be distributed to libraries nationwide, including schools and universities.
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Sultan Nazrin Launches Book Honouring MMEA's 20th Anniversary
PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today graced the launch of the "Helang Samudera: Perisai Maritim' coffee table book by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The 180-page book, published in conjunction with the agency's 20th anniversary, reflects the dedication of MMEA as the country's key institution in safeguarding national maritime security. The launch was also attended by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, his Deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah. In his speech, Saifuddin Nasution described the book's publication as a meaningful tribute to the nation's maritime heroes who have risked their lives over two decades to defend the sovereignty of the country's waters. "This book is not merely a historical documentation but a valuable treasure that showcases the courage, resilience and dedication of MMEA personnel in addressing cross-border crimes, maritime intrusions and high-risk rescue operations," he said as he expressed appreciation for the dedication of MMEA personnel. He also touched on the acquisition of vessels and helicopters to enhance the agency's maritime defence and enforcement capabilities. The MMEA is set to receive a new flagship vessel from Turkiye, the Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS), which is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027. The MPMS can operate continuously for 30 days and is equipped with modern assets, including four Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC), two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a helicopter landing deck, medical facilities and a detention centre. Measuring 99 metres in length, the vessel can accommodate a crew of 70 and carry 30 passengers. It will primarily patrol the South China Sea, addressing foreign vessel intrusions and illegal fishing activities. It also aims to combat transnational crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking.
