KUALA TERENGGANU: The country lost the oldest surviving naval sailor, Lt (Rtd) Melan Suradi, who died in Johor Baru, early today (Friday).
He was popularly and respectfully referred to as ‘Chief Harry Melan’ by shipmates owing to his camaraderie and professionalism.
Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin announced that Melan, 95, died of old age at the KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital at 12.27am.
He said KD Sri Medini had arranged for Melan to be given a burial with full military honours at the muslim cemetery in Johor Baru after Friday prayers.
“We are extending whatever necessary assistance his family needs.
“Our deepest condolences and our thoughts are with his family, as the RMN has lost a notable veteran,” said Kamarulzaman.
Melan had initially served as a rating with the Royal British Navy during World War II, and later joined the RMN rising to the rank of Warrant Officer 1 - the highest rank for listed ratings.
Kamarulzaman said Melan was the first intake of locally inducted ratings.
“Upon retirement, he continued with the RMN and was commissioned as a lieutenant in recognition for his services,” said Kamarulzaman, adding that Melan was credited with bringing back the country’s first frigate from Britain in the Sixties.
Kamarulzaman had last year bestowed Melan with the ‘Anugerah Sri Mutiara’ award during the RMN Ex-Servicemen’s Association ‘Nostalgia Samudera Perkasa’ dinner at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Also honoured at the dinner were the country’s first local RMN chief Rear-Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri K. Thanabalasingam, 81, and Lt Cdr (Rtd) Mohd Sharif Kalam, 80, who hoisted the Jalur Gemilang during Merdeka Day at Stadium Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957.
Thanabalasingam, who had worked closely with Melan nearly 60 years ago, described the latter as a fine example of the RMN of old.
“He had served king and country loyally, faithfully and with distinction.
“Melan was a true sailor of the old school who served with the British Royal Navy during World War II.
“He then joined the RMN during its formative years and experienced the communist insurgency, the Emergencies and the Confrontation with Indonesia both at sea and ashore,” said Thanabalasingam, who himself holds the distinction of being Malaysia’s oldest living and longest-serving former navy chief.
“Melan has been blessed with long life and a loving and caring family,” said Thanabalasingam, who turned 81 on March 12.
So close was Thanabalasingam with Melan that he could even recall the latter’s service number - J800003 - as the RMN's oldest sailor.
“He served on board our flagship, KD Hang Tuah (F 433) as its first Chief Buffer, when I was the executive officer and later as the commanding officer.
“Melan was initially a coxswain before later becoming the Master-At-Arms in KD Malaya,” said Thanabalasingam, one of the first batch of nine cadets to graduate from the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England, in 1958.
Thanabalasingam added that Melan was already a well-respected Petty Officer in the RMN when the former first joined in May 1955, thus the sobriquet ‘Chief Harry Melan’.
“In later years he was commissioned into the RMN as an officer. Melan was a man of high discipline and integrity.
“Melan is a legend and an icon to most old sailors and should be remembered for his outstanding contribution to the RMN and the country. Melan is a rare breed of a sailor of old and I will miss him badly,” said Thanabalasingam.
The last time the two met was at the ‘Nostalgia Samudera Perkasa’ dinner.
“I can still remember how he gave me a strong hug and later a firm handshake, renewing the bond we have had for so long.
“Rest in peace, dear Lt Melan,” said Thanabalasingam.
Melan is survived by his wife, Burok Mohd Salim, and eight children.