By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 10: The name of a Sarawak warrior has now been immortalised at sea with the official launch today of the Littoral Combat Ship 3 (LCS 3), named Sharif Mashor, symbolising the continuity between the struggles of the past and the nation’s modern defence strength.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, the milestone event took place at the Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (Lunas), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base in Perak, and reflects appreciation for the contributions of a local figure who continues to inspire courage and sovereignty.
The symbolic launch of LCS 3 Sharif Mashor was officiated by the wife of the Governor of Sarawak, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, and witnessed by the Governor of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Also present were Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, who is also the Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari; Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain; and Sharif Mashor’s descendant Wan Ahmad Makki Mashor Wan Abu Bakar Edruce.
The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Surah Al-Baqarah, followed by a prayer led by Naval Headquarters Colonel Ahmad Kamil Abdullah.
The programme continued with a poetry recital reflecting the history of Sharif Mashor’s struggle, accompanied by a pantomime performance by the RMN Special Forces (Paskal) titled ‘Parang Ilang’, portraying the spirit of heroism, sacrifice, and loyalty to the nation.
Fauziah then delivered the launch declaration, followed by a simulated push of the Engine Order Telegraph (EOT) as the symbolic act of the official launch. Several small explosions accompanied this, the foghorn’s sounding, and the singing of ‘Samudera Raya’ by the RMN Central Band.
LCS3 is a Maharaja Lela–class vessel built based on the Gowind 2500 corvette design by Naval Group and is among the most advanced assets in the RMN fleet.
It is designed to conduct four-dimensional maritime operations encompassing surface, subsurface, air, and electronic warfare.
As the latest strategic asset, Sharif Mashor is expected to strengthen the overall modernisation agenda of the RMN fleet, in line with the Malaysian Armed Forces’ aspiration towards developing a Future Force, as well as the RMN’s Fifteen-to-Five (15-to-5) Transformation Plan, to ensure that national waters security and sovereignty continue to be safeguarded. — DayakDaily
