KUALA LUMPUR, 5 June 2025 – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has officially decommissioned three of its long-serving vessels in a solemn naval ceremony held at the Lumut Naval Base, Perak, marking a significant step in its 15-to-5 Transformation Programme to modernise the fleet and strengthen operational efficiency.

The ceremony saw the formal retirement of KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil, KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah, and KD Pendekar, witnessed by Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, senior naval leadership, former commanding officers, and the ships’ final crew members.

In keeping with naval tradition, the ships’ bells were sounded and their ensigns ceremonially lowered—symbolising the end of their active service.

“These three ships have rendered invaluable service to the RMN over decades, participating in key operations and exercises to defend Malaysia’s maritime sovereignty,” RMN said in a statement.

KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil and KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah, originally constructed in Italy during the early 1980s for the Iraqi Navy, were redirected to Malaysia due to United Nations sanctions during the Gulf War. Acquired in the mid-1990s, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil was commissioned in July 1997, followed by KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah in July 1999. Both vessels belonged to the 24th Corvette Squadron.

During their tenure, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil clocked 486,487.1 nautical miles, while KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah recorded 315,907.6 nautical miles—contributing to maritime patrols, surveillance, international exercises, and humanitarian operations.

The third vessel, KD Pendekar, was one of RMN’s earliest surface combat ships, serving in the First Fast Attack Craft Squadron. Built in Sweden and commissioned in August 1979, KD Pendekar carried out enforcement missions, joint exercises, and high-speed operations in shallow and coastal waters for more than 40 years, covering an impressive 820,077.64 nautical miles—making it one of the most active ships in the navy’s history.

KD Pendekar made headlines last year when it sank two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusup, Johor, on 25 August 2024, but was later successfully refloated in October following a salvage operation.

The decommissioning reflects RMN’s commitment to modernise its fleet, increase combat readiness, and ensure cost-effective maritime defence capabilities under the ongoing transformation programme.