GEORGE TOWN — After 35 years, Penang is back in the spotlight with the Asean Navies’ City Parade (ANCP), which took place today at Padang Kota Lama, alongside the state government’s Hari Buletin 4.0 celebration.

The ANCP, which is an initiative of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in an effort to introduce and promote naval military traditions to the general public, witnessed a military parade involving a contingent of 10 ships from Asean countries, the Malaysian United Cadet Force (PKBM Laut), the RMN Voluntary Reserve Force and the RMN Veterans Association.

Among the events that stole the spotlight were the RMN combat boat demonstration and helicopter fly-past, as well as the silent parade and band performance by RMN, which mesmerised thousands of visitors who arrived as early as 6.30 am.

A total of 301 Asean ship contingents and 388 school students from 11 schools including Penang Free School, SMK (P) St George, SMK Pekula Jaya, and SMK Bukit Jambul participated as parade contingents and marching bands.

The parade of ship contingents involved were RSS Vigour from Singapore; KRI Bung Tomo (Indonesia); KPD Darulaman (Brunei); UMS King Sin Phyu Shin (Myanmar); HTMS Krabi (Thailand); VPNS Quang Trung (Vietnam) and BRP Antonio Luna (Philippines) while representing Malaysia were three TLDM warships namely KD Kedah, KD Lekiu and KD Lekir.

The ANCP was held concurrently with several important regional events including the 19th Asean Naval Chiefs Meeting (ANCM), the third Asean Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) and the Asean Fleet Review (AFR).