Lumut owes its prosperity to the Royal Malaysian Navy

It was a quiet fishing village in Manjung district in the good old days. Lumut underwent rapid transformation when the Royal Malaysian Navy made the town the “Home of the Navy” in 1979. It never look back since then.

Lumut MP Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the population influx had also led to the development of new townships in the district, such as Seri Manjung, about 8km from Lumut, to meet their housing needs.

Not a sleepy hollow: Lumut enjoys growth potential thanks to a bustling maritime industry.

There are about 19,000 navy personnel at the Lumut Naval Base out of the 223,800 population in Manjung.

Kong said many retired navy personnel and their family members also chose to stay here and contribute to the district’s population, growth and development.

He said there were ample maritime-related job opportunities available in Lumut for retired navy personnel who possessed relevant skills.

Born and bred in Sitiawan — about 10km from Lumut — Kong recalled Lumut as a quiet fishing village with few residents living in wooden houses three decades ago; a stark contrast to the busy tourist town it is now.

“Manjung experienced expansion of its road network, telecommunication system and mushrooming of public amenities since the navy descended on Lumut.

“The locals have not only adapted well to the change, but also participated alongside the development of Lumut and its neighbouring towns,” said Kong, who has been serving as Lumut’s MP for three terms.

But development does come with a price though.

Doing their bit: The large population of navy and ex-navy personnel and their families are a major drive for Manjung’s economy.

Manjung municipal councillor Loo Ming Cheong said there was a 500% increase in the price of single storey terrace houses now compared to in the 1970s.
“A single storey terrace house in Seri Manjung cost about RM100,000 now,” he said, adding that the township also housed the local administrative building, Manjung Hospital, sports complexes and shops.
Loo said Lumut was more of a commercial district nowadays, adding that many people who set up their business in the navy town were staying in Sitiawan or neighouring townships.
He said the navy — apart from being a growth catalyst — also played an active role in community development.
For instance, they organised activities to help the poor and made recommendations to the local council on how to improve their living conditions