GEORGE TOWN: Large crowds have gathered at Esplanade in Jalan Padang Kota Lama for the Asean Navies’ City Parade (ANCP), scheduled to start at 9am on Sunday (Aug 17).
The event will kick off with the arrival of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, followed by inspection of guards and brass band performances.
Contingents bearing Asean flags will then march in a parade.
The highlight of the event, the helicopter flypast by the Royal Malaysian Navy, is scheduled at 10.20am.
On Friday (Aug 15), a total of 10 warships from the region have arrived at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, marking a display of regional naval strength, trust, and camaraderie ahead of a series of maritime defence events from Aug 15 to 22 under Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship 2025.
They are KD Kedah, KD Lekiu and KD Lekir from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as well as UMS Kin Sin Phyu (Myanmar), RSS Vigour (Singapore), BRP Antonio Luna (Philippines), Kri Bung Tomo (Indonesia), VPNS Quang Trung (Vietnam), HTMS Krabi (Thailand) and KDB Darulaman (Brunei).
The parade will include the various contingents’ parade, local agency display, cultural performances, maritime asset salutes and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopter flypasts.
Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to tour the docked warships at Swettenham Pier to gain insights into the latest naval technologies.
Penang will take centre stage in regional maritime defence as the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) hosts three key Asean naval events from Aug 15 to 22.
The week-long programme includes the 19th Asean Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM), the Third Asean Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) and the Asean Fleet Review (AFR), with activities across George Town and Batu Ferringhi.
On Tuesday (Aug 19), the ANCM, a high-level meeting of Asean naval commanders, will bring together navy chiefs from all Asean countries to discuss aspects of security, peace and stability in the region’s seas at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort in Batu Ferringhi.
Delegates will then attend the Asean Chief Navy (CN) Interaction Programme at Penang Hill on Wednesday (Aug 20), featuring a tree-planting ceremony and the launch of the Asean Harmony Grove by Asean naval leaders to symbolises Asean navies’ commitment to the Asean Green Initiative (AGI).
The grand finale, the Asean Fleet Review on Thursday (Aug 21), will see all participating warships sail in formation through the northern strait.
The event will be a spectacle to watch from Butterworth and George Town.
Malaysia assumed the role of Asean Chair 2025 with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” symbolising its aspiration to guide this 58-year-old regional bloc toward a more united, dynamic, and sustainable future.
