Awal pagi 28 September…enam orang dalam sebuah MPV meninggalkan Pulau Pinang untuk menghadiri majlis sambutan Hari Raya di Selatan Tanah Air. Mereka menyewa dua bilik dengan dua single bed. Siapa kalah ‘Oh Som’ kena tidur atas lantai.
Difahamkan orang kanan @ consultant UPBB dari Sungai Petani kalah undi dan terpaksa berdengkur di atas lantai.
Dari kiri: RM yang pegang Bren Gun di atas bridge KD Sri Selangor pada malam 24 Julai 1964. Dua dari kiri: RP yang bertugas di Chart House ketika KD Sri Perak memusnahkan bot KKO Indonesia di Tanjung Tuan malam 10 Februari 1965. Tiga dari kiri: GI @ commissioning krew KD Hang Tuah F76. Empat dari kiri: LRSM yang dihantar ke Batu Garrison dengan lencana sauh masih melekat di lengan baju. Lima dari kiri: PTI @ Pioneer Green Beret @ MSSU tahun 1965. Enam dari kiri: The smiling GI yang amat kami senangi. Paling kanan: RM dari intake lapan sekupang.
Otao-otai sedang pekena teh dan kopi ‘o’ kau di warong JB.
Melawat masjid lama di Setulang Laut.
Melihat masjid, teringat kata-kata Latif “Dulu tengok surau di KD Malaya macam nampak dengan tak nampak aje…” Tapi sekarang, jauh-jauh pun sanggup pergi. Alhamdulillah.
Dalam perjalanan balik ke Pulau Pinang, mereka sempat bertandang ke rumah kawan di ‘Bamboo River’. Sedang duduk berborak, Basha buka mulut minta pisau dari tuan rumah. Rupanya dia terliur melihat tebu di luar pagar rumah Hamidon.
Mungkinkah dia teringat makan tebu liar dalam latihan survival di hutan untuk mendapatkan Green Beret!
Tuan rumah berbaju singlet…salah seorang dari 10 pioneer crew KD Sri Tawau tahun 1963… sailing crew KD Hang Tuah F433…Chief Buffer pertama KD Sri Langkawi A1500…Cox’n terakhir KD Sri Kedah sebelum bot ronda tersebut dilucutkan tauliah dan dijadikan sasaran EXOCET tahun 1976.
Encik RP…MY INTRUCTOR….
nama masjid tu masjid pasir pelangi
Terima kasih atas maklumat tentang nama masjid tersebut.
Sorry to bother you, but apart from a visit to the Philippines, did KD Rahmat ever make any other visits to neighbouring countries?
Also, were the Mahamiru [ex-RN Ton class minesweepers] in RMN service actually used for minesweeping or mostly for patrol duties?
Thank you.
KD Mahamiru and 5 others CMS of the 25th MCM Squadron were mainly used for patrol duties.
Once awhile Minesweeping exercises were conducted during training for keeping up in shape.
Minesweeping were conducted during combined naval exercise (war games) and during sea inspection/workup
I had served onboard KD Brinchang (1969-1970) and KD Jerai (1975-1976)
Thank you Mr ex rbco for the info.
As far as I can remember, since arriving in Singapore in 1972 until December 1976 when I was drafted out from the ship, KD Rahmat had never ventured outside Malaysia. Instead, she spent most of her time berthed at the Malaysian Base Jetty in Woodlands or nursing her illness in Jurong @ Jurong Shipyard.
I hope ex crew of KD Rahmat after me can shed some light as to her saga – adventure or misadventure.
ex rbco,
Thank you for the feedback.
When you were serving aboard KD Brinchang from 1969-1970 was the ship’s CO Australian? Also what weapons were carried for sefl-defence during this period – SLRs and Brens?
The reason I was asking about whether KD Rahmat made any visits to neighbouring countries is because in this blog -http://utuhpaloi.com/2011/09/ – there is a photo of her in the Philippines.
Also does anyone know about the Riverine Patrol Craft [RCP] that operated on the Rejang river in RASCOM during the late 70′s to 84?
There was some talk about the sad state of KD Trengganu at the museum. Hopefully the museum will be able to preserve her and place her under a sun shelter/rain if funds are provided. I always felt that it was a shame that all 4 of the Perkasa class were sent to the breakers yard and not even one was preserved.
FAriz, maaf mencelah….Perkasa Class dijual kepada Brunei, bukan discrapkan….
When you were serving aboard KD Brinchang from 1969-1970 was the ship’s CO Australian? Also what weapons were carried for sefl-defence during this period – SLRs and Brens?
KD Brinchang’s CO was a Malaysian (Commander M.W. Alivsse) and she was fully manned by Malaysian at that point of time.
Apart from the Minesweeping equipment, she had a 40/70 bofor in the forecastle and two 20mm orlikens at the funnel deck. she had two mountings for GPMG at the open bridge (port and starboard side). She also carried SLR, SMG and pistols to be used during landing and boarding station.
hope this information will be of help to you
Also does anyone know about the Riverine Patrol Craft [RCP] that operated on the Rejang river in RASCOM during the late 70′s to 84?
I was attached to KD Sri Rejang (Rascom) 1973-1975 – During these period LCM’s and LCP’s were used for riverine patrol and transporting army personnel to forward base and operation area from Sibu.
1968 – 1969, I was onboard KD Sri Trengganu, and used to see this Australian Officer by the name of Lt Cdr Lancaster who was then the commanding officer of one of the Coastal Minesweepers.
I can still remember how he looked like…if you have seen the picture of a bearded man on the packaging of John Players cigarettes, then you can visualise his features.
After Lt Cdr Lancaster was drafted to shore establishment, he was appointed as the Staff Operations Officer. From then on, we could see him virtually everday walking up and down the MBJ.
Such was his dedication to the task.
Saya di kd rahmat,yang telah pergi ke Bangkok,salawasih,tanjong pinang,salain dari ke manila 1977.Di bangkok saya telah beli satu set periok yang bertangkai drp saiz kecil hingga saiz 45 cm sampai sekarang ada lagi ,cap buaya.DI Bangkok banyak yang bengkok ha ha ,those were the days.Admin keluar kapal,TAK DAPAT MERASA PERGI TEMPAT TERSEBUT DIATAS.KD RAHMAT ADA JUGA PERGI KK,DAN KUCING,SAYA LUPA SAYA RASA ADA MASUK SIBU.DI KUCING OPEN TO VISITERS.
“Di bangkok saya telah beli satu set periok yang bertangkai drp saiz kecil hingga saiz 45 cm”
Nasib baik saya tak ikut, kalau tidak terliur jugalah tengok periuk Siam yang berbaris dalam kaca. Memandangkan masa tu masih bujang, masalah paip sumbat no problem.
tahun 1977 anak dah ada 4 orang oh,rayau2 tengok ayam dalam cermin sahaja.saya selamat keluar dengan coxn mcpo sm alwi senior,selalu tanya kar dah sembahyang?.Tahun lepas jumpa dia di KD Sri Gombak.
MCPO Alwi J698 (800698)…nombor plet 55, 555, 5555. Very nice guy.
Dia ganti MCPO Kamaruddin sebagai cox’n KD Rahmat. Selau terserempak di Carrefour Wangsa Maju, tapi dah hampir setahun tak jumpa.
admin, ex rbco, Joewings, abu bakar jamal,
Terima kasih banyak.
ex rbco,
In which town was KD Rejang based in? Didn’t the Vosper Patrol Craft [PCs] also operate in the Rejang River?
Do you remember if the LCM’s and LCP’s were locally built and did they have mountings for GPMGs?
Thank you.
Does anyone know if the 4.5inch guns on KD Rahmat and KD Hang Tuah were ever used for shore fire support?
In which town was KD Rejang based in?
Sibu, Sarawak. Old base at Simpang Tiga/Kampong Nangka
New Base was built at Sungai Antu Sibu Sarawak
Didn’t the Vosper Patrol Craft [PCs] also operate in the Rejang River? NO – PC came to KD Sri Rejang for Standoff and at time for minor repair work.
Do you remember if the LCM’s and LCP’s were locally built. I am sure that the LCM and LCP were built in Australia – under the “Defence Aid”
Did they have mountings for GPMGs? Yes
Admin,
I came across your article on KD Rahmat and the servicibility problems faced in keeping her operational.
Apologies for the questions, but was exactly was the problem, was it a lack of funds, trained personnel or problems in mantaining the gas turbines?
“was it a lack of funds, trained personnel or problems in mantaining the gas turbines?”
Funds was never an issue and neither the availability of trained personnel.
What was the root of the problem then?
Unlike RN ships which were designed by the Admiralty and built by Yarrow, KD Rahmat was designed by the shipbuilder itself, i.e. Yarrow in accordance with Malaysian requirements.
Putting it in a nutshell, from the day the idea was conceived, KD Rahmat was flawed and the flaw became more apparent after birth. When she went for her first sea trial, there were severe vibrations caused by the unsuitability of the turbine engine. The problem was never fully rectified.
Electrical: The sailing crew (ex rbco included) that were sent to UK and were supposed to sail home with the ship had to return upon arrival because the switchboard caught fire. And her ETD had to be postponed. On the way home, her steering gear (motor) gone haywire. Less than 3 years after berthing at the MBJ, the forward generator went ‘kaput’.
Electronic: I could not understand and will never understand why the SEACAT missiles onboard KD Rahmat was tested only once. http://utuhpaloi.com/warships-and-the-white-elephants/
And I will never understand why KD Rahmat is preserved as a museum! Is it to remind us that “once upon a time, there was a ship conceived as KD Hang Jebat but delivered as KD Rahmat, and was supposed to be the most modern frigate at birth but became paralyzed upon delivery”?
Is it because of Ringgit and Cents, and not Ringgit and Sense!
admin,
Thank you for the info.
As you pointed out, instead of custom building a frigate to its own requirements, the RMN should have gone for an existing design.
The Mahhamiru [Ton] class was organised into the 25th MCM Squadron. Does anyone know what squadron the Langkasuka [Ham] class were in?
Is there anyone here who served onboard the first KD Hang Tuah [ex-HMS Loch Insh], which deployed to Tawau during the Confrontation? Also, which would have been the first RMN ship to have a helicopter land on it – KD Langkawi [ex-HMS Counterguard], KD Hang Tuah or KD Rahmat?
Thanks for you interest, an interest that baffled us! And hence this request:
1. Is it possible for you to share some of your profile?
2. You seem to know or wants to know the RMN in detail. That being the case, is it not easier for you to get them from PUSMAS which I believe has all the ingredients, and are better suited to furnish relevant info!
Sorry for the query, and suggestion.
Admin,
Apologies for the numerous questions. I’m very interested in the early history of the RMN as I feel that this is an era that has not been given the attention it deserves.
I have been working on a web site on the MAF [as a privaee initiative] for the past 2 years. There are sections on the army, RMAF and RMN, on current stuff as well as historical stuff – the post Merdeka era, the Confrontation, 2nd Emergency, foreign deoployments under the UN, etc. Though I have managed to get a good pretty good idea of what was operated by the RMN during the 1960′s and 70′s , there are still gaps that remain in my research, hence the numerous questions.
Yes, I could approach PUSMAS but after receiving no replies from the RMAF museum despite several requests for historical information, I’m not sure if that would be helpful. But who knows, perhaps the RMN might be more helpful. I had previously interviewed several ex-army officers and non-coms to get info on the 2nd Emergency and how the army and RMAF operated during that era.
One of the best books in English on the early days of the RMN and the help it received from the RAN is a book entitled – ”Tiger Territory”. It also has some info on ”Black Joe” [have you ever met him?] and a CO of a Kedah class that came with contact with an Indonesian ship in the Straits of Singapore, called Nettur. I would be happy to send you a photo copy of the book if you’re interested.
Fariz,
Many thanks for clearing the air.
For your info, UPBB was created mainly to relive the good old days of life in the RMN based on my own personal experience. Initially, it consist only write up compiled under what I called Menyusur Denai Ingatan.
As time goes by, long lost friends who by chance stumbled upon this blog helped me to spice up UPBB. Truth be told, without their contributions, you would not be communicating with me right now.
What you read in UPBB are real life stories based not only on my experience, but also on the experience of my friends from RMN Woodlands. Many a time, before posting their stories, I have to check, recheck and call them whenever there is doubt.
The incident involving KD Sri Selangor as an example; besides hearing from the horse’s mouth way back in 1965, I have spoken to two other ratings that were on the bridge on that fateful night, but to date, I have yet to have the courage to compile the real story because there are contradictions between the three sources. But one thing is certain, all three are adamant that the official version from the authority is totally out of sequence, i.e. not a single shot was fired from the 40/70 BOFORS.
As for your questions, ex rbco has agreed to help me with the answers.
And the rest, I’ll get in touch with you via email provided the email address that you furnish is correct.
testing
“As for your questions, ex rbco has agreed to help me with the answers”.
Fariz
I consider communicating through E-mail is the best option as more information can be included.
The list below is the websites that had valuable information on RMAF and RMN
securemalaysia.blogspot., mudzaffar.blogspot, xnuripilot.blogspot. pak-mail.blogspot.
toharudinrasid.blogspot. xgunship.blogspot rarwrites.blogspot harmoni-my. lamandihati.wordpress. min-def.blogspot
malaysiandefence. malfianm.multiply.
Hope these sites will be beneficial to you
regards
Hai Utuh paloi …
Kayapa habar ikam ?
lawaskah sudah badiam di malaysia ?
dahulunya di banjar di mana ?
Ulun urang banjar jua.
Kenapa maka kisah badiam di malaysia ?
makasih ulun hanya handak betakun kisah
hahahaha
ini email ulun softwareattack@yahoo.com
bravo urang banjar
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