A NOT-to-miss programme organised by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) – ‘Open Ship Day’ – is set to take place tomorrow (April 27) at the Swettenham Pier.
The event will be held in conjunction with RMN’s 89th anniversary.
To get more insight on the ‘Open Ship Day’, the Buletin Mutiara got in touch with RMN resident naval officer of Penang (RNO Penang) Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Muhamad Fadhil Samsuddin at his office in Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah today.
“The programme is meant to let the public know about our services and stir interest in RMN among the young generation.
“This year the ‘Open Ship Day’ will be also held simultaneously at other locations in the country, namely near Pangkalan Lumut in Perak, Pangkalan Pulau Langkawi (Kedah), Pangkalan Pulau Indah (Selangor), Pangkalan Tanjung Pengelih (Johor) dan Pangkalan Kuantan (Pahang).
“For the programme, we have brought in two ships, which are ‘KD Mahamiru’ (minesweeper) and KD Gagah Samudera (training ship) where various exhibitions will be held at both ships,” Muhamad Fadhil said.
Apart from getting the chance to visit the navigation space and other compartments of the ships, Muhamad Fadhil said the public can also seize the opportunity to check out the navy career exhibition during the programme.
“The ‘Open Ship Day’ programme will start from 9am and finishes at 6pm and is open to all age groups, targeting especially the youth.
“Those who are interested can register online by scanning the QR code which can be found on the Resident Naval Officer of Penang Facebook page.
“They can also do group registration online as well as at the counter near the entrance during the event,” he added.
After the interview session, Muhamad Fadhil also took the Buletin Mutiara team led by Penang state government communications division director Yap Lee Ying for a tour inside the KD Gagah Samudera ship.
The tour session was briefed by junior Lt Amir Hakimi Mohd Zahir and accompanied by Lt Cdr Aizad Ali.
KD Gagah Samudera chief executive officer Cdr Ahmad Saiful said the ‘Open Ship Day’ programme helps to convey to the public the duties of navy officers as the country’s defence body.
“In today’s world, everything is at your fingertips, but the actual knowledge can only be gained and experienced when they see themselves how the crew members live on a ship.
“As far as I remember, the last time the ‘Open Ship Day’ was organised for the public was in Penang in 2003.
“Hope many more similar events can be held in Penang to make known the services of RMN to the public, especially the young generation,” he added.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is also scheduled to attend the ‘Open Ship Day’ programme tomorrow.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi