Penang: After a 35-year hiatus, Penang took center stage with the ASEAN Navies’ City Parade (ANCP) at Padang Kota Lama, coinciding with the state government’s Hari Buletin 4.0 celebration.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event, spearheaded by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), aimed to introduce and promote naval military traditions to the public. The parade featured a contingent of 10 ships from ASEAN countries, alongside the Malaysian United Cadet Force (PKBM Laut), the RMN Voluntary Reserve Force, and the RMN Veterans Association.
Highlights of the event included a demonstration by RMN combat boats and a helicopter fly-past, in addition to a silent parade and band performance by the RMN, captivating thousands of visitors who gathered from as early as 6.30 am. The procession saw the participation of 301 ASEAN ship contingents and 388 students from 11 schools, such as Penang Free School and SMK (P) St George, who joined as parade contingents and marching bands.
Ships on parade included RSS Vigour from Singapore, KRI Bung Tomo from Indonesia, KPD Darulaman from Brunei, UMS King Sin Phyu Shin from Myanmar, HTMS Krabi from Thailand, VPNS Quang Trung from Vietnam, and BRP Antonio Luna from the Philippines, while Malaysia was represented by three TLDM warships: KD Kedah, KD Lekiu, and KD Lekir.
The ANCP was aligned with the 19th ASEAN Naval Chiefs Meeting (ANCM), the third ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX), and the ASEAN Fleet Review (AFR). This year’s ANCP also evoked historical memories of the International Royal Fleet Review (IRFR) on May 19, 1990, which featured 59 warships and 11,000 naval personnel from numerous countries.
In recognition of their service, 30 RMN veterans participated in the parade, joined by the Penang Chinese Peranakan Association, Boria Omara, and the Penang Chingay Association. Earlier, the 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 RMN 23rd Squadron pennant.
The event was attended by Penang State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Datuk Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, Penang state government leaders, top management of the Royal Malaysian Navy, and commanding officers of the participating ships. First Admiral Mohd Norizal Fahrudin, commander of Naval Region 3, stated that the Navies City Parade traditionally involves personnel and naval assets from various countries, typically held in major urban areas. He highlighted that the ANCP, in the context of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, exemplifies the unity of regional countries, strengthening relations and continuing naval legacy and tradition.