Ahmad Kamarulzaman (centre) waves to the media after officiating the ship as a Naval Museum at the Lumut Naval Base jetty. — Bernama photo
LUMUT: In line with the tradition practised by navies around the world, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) had chosen KD Hang Tuah, the oldest vessel serving in its fleet to be turned into a Naval Museum.
The transformation of the ship into a museum will be done through a collaboration between Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) Sdn Bhd and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the vessel, which was over 50 years old, would be housed at the Royal Lumut Museum when ready.
“Initially, the Naval Museum will stay docked at Lumut Base until the permanent structural jetty is ready.
“We will carry out modification and conservation works on KD Hang Tuah, which will be done by BNS Sdn Bhd and expect it to be open to visitors by early next year,” he said at a press conference after officiating the ship as a Naval Museum at the Lumut Naval Base jetty here yesterday.
KD Hang Tuah was commissioned on July 22, 1977 and is a well-known asset in the 21st Frigate Squadron.
Throughout its years in service, the ship has travelled some 500,000km, which is equivalent to circling the globe 12.5 times. — Bernama