Architect of modern naval defence Rear Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri K. Thanabalasingam feted by veterans as he turns 90
KLANG — Nearly 300 former naval officers, veterans and their families gathered for a commemorative dinner hosted by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Veterans Association to honour the first admiral of the RMN, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Dr K Thanabalasingam, on his 90th birthday. Held at a restaurant in Klang, the event paid tribute to Thanabalasingam’s pioneering role in shaping Malaysia’s naval force, with guests spanning generations of servicemen who had served under or alongside him.
The event also coincided with the RMN’s 92nd Anniversary which falls on April 27.
In a nod to naval heritage, each table at the dinner was named after ships from the RMN fleet, including KD Lekir, KD Hang Tuah and KD Kasturi. The VIP table bore the name KD Indera Sakti, a vessel that gained prominence in the late 2000s for its role in safeguarding merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden during the height of Somali piracy.
Thanabalasingam, visibly moved by the turnout, expressed his gratitude to the attendees, many of whom were former colleagues and officers.
“I am deeply touched to see so many familiar faces gathered here tonight,” he said.
In a lighter moment, he drew laughter from the crowd when he quipped that he attributed his longevity to never having married.
Born on March 12, 1936 in Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur, Thanabalasingam became the first Malaysian to be appointed Admiral of the RMN.
That was in 1967, where at the age of 31 he had the distinction of being the youngest and only non-Bumiputera to hold that position.
“We served our country with pride and distinction,” Thanabalasingam told the audience.
Then he quipped poignantly: “They may have forgotten who we were, but we know who we are.”
“We shall always cherish ourselves as patriots who made the decision very early in our lives, to put country above self,” he said, commanding his men to “maintain comradeship wherever we are”.
Warrant Officer 1 (Retired) Krishna Subrayan who served under Thanabalasingam when the latter was the Resident Navy Officer in Tawau said his former Boss was strict but fair, treating all his men equally.
“He was colour-blind,” he said, explaining that despite being an ethnic minority in the navy, Thanabalasingam never demonstrated favouritism towards other minorities.
“He is a Jack-of-all-trades and an expert in underwater missiles. He knew everything about a ship and naval warfare,” he said, alluding to Thanabalasingam’s fast rise in the ranks.
Chairman of the Organising Committee Capt (Rtd) Martin Sebastian said Thanabalasingam deserved appreciation as the chief architect of the country’s modern maritime defence.
“He gave everything to the navy even after his compulsory retirement. He continues to write in the media on Maritime Security and his expertise is still appreciated.
“I am happy that some of the guests brought their children with them. Future generations need to know about the contributions and sacrifices of those who helped in nation building,” Sebastian said.
The evening also featured his book, The Admiral’s Reflections, a compilation of his personal experiences and insights from his years of service in the navy.
Widely regarded as a key architect of the country’s modern naval defence, Thanabalasingam is credited with laying the groundwork for its development, including the establishment of the Lumut Naval Base, which remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s maritime defence infrastructure.
Thanabalasingam spoke of the significance of why the dinner was held in Klang.
“When we were ordered to vacate our base in Singapore, Port Klang was the first political choice.
“I was not in favour of it due to the commercial aspects of it and the fact that Port Klang’s growth will eventually hinder our base expansion.
“Eventually, on my advice, the Government agreed for Lumut to become our principal Naval Base,” he said.
“Look at us today. We have made Lumut Naval Base something to be proud of and a good springboard for operations in the Andaman and Indian Ocean.” – April 27, 2026
Editor’s note: The book can be purchased by contacting Lt. Rashwin at 011-10818990
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