SHAH ALAM: D-Day for Kuala Lumpur airbase. Within the next three weeks, the Muhyiddin administration will or will not make any decision on the Bandar Malaysia project. It is not the most pressing issue for the new administration compared to other things in its to-do-list including the appointment of ministers, ones who will not attract further criticisms, of course.
Anyhow if there is no further review of the Bandar Malaysia project – the redevelopment of the Kuala Lumpur airbase – which likely started in the Abdullah Badawi administration but followed through and implemented by Najib and reviewed by the Mahathir one – it will go ahead in the current version.
If this is so, the Defence Ministry and RMAF are likely to go ahead and handover the whole airbase on March 31. The handover date was likely made after the Mahathir administration approved the revival of Bandar Malaysia project in late last year, though I admit the current imbroglio may well forced the postponement of the event. They could also delay the handover but not make any furthe review of the project. Malaysian Defence had reported that the ministry had advertised various request for bids for the relocation of units still operating at the airbase.
Anyhow if the event took placed as schedule, it is a clear indication that things are returning to the norm. Anyhow the political imbroglio is likely delay the decision for the relocation site of the RMAF museum. The aircraft from the former museum is currently stored at the former PDRM Air Wing hangars located on the adjacent of the former airbase.
I was told that the Mahathir administration had wanted the new RMAF museum be built at the former PDRM air wing site, after some renovation of course. However, it appears that the RMAF museum was supposed to be relocated to a purpose built site at the Sendayan airbase, the biggest replacement site for the Kuala Lumpur airbase.
The final decision on the new RMAF museum was supposed to be hammered out this month ahead of the handover ceremony but I guess that’s been postponed now. It must be noted that a new Armed Forces gallery has been opened at the Dataran Pahlawan complex in Putrajaya in early February. It is not a museum but I am told that there was a plan to turn it into a museum in the future.
–Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (7)
On the air force museum.
A museum should be at an easily accessible location, and if possible, located at an active airport.
My suggestion.
Move the airforce museum to the Kuantan ATSC hangar. It is no longer needed to maintain the MiG-29. It is also located on the civilian side of kuantan airport, so visitors can go there without needing to go through the military airbase section.
We also need to have more companies that would give offsets to restore and maintain historical aircrafts in the museum collection.
The airforce top brass also need to be serious to save samples of retired aircrafts in as good condition as possible. Need to start now on the nuri, MiG-29N, PC-7 Mk1, MB-339CM.
Also try to preserve some of them at strategic location as a reminder to those who pass by. Like in the parliment lawn, in the agong istana, near kementah building, in front of MOF building in putrajaya for example…
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/selamat-jalan-pengkalan-udara-kuala-lumpur/#comment-414568
To get companies to provide sponsorship would also require them gaining some revenue on the form of contracts. The times are such that even large companies have rightened budgets; never mind smaller Malaysian companies. British Aerospace was more than happy to allocate a few million back in the 1990’s back in the 1990’s but that was at time when it had been awarded a few contracts.
Aircraft preservation is unfortunately an expensive, ongoing long term exercise. Ideally; enough space would be found for all exhibits to be placed under a roof with some form of climate control to prevent corrosion, verdigris, etc - our sunlight and humidity doesn’t get along with aircraft exposed to the elements for prolonged periods.
Question, is the TUDM relocation also involves PDRM airbase relocation at a later date? Seems odd that TUDM would be moving but the airbase still remains for PRDM. IIRC, PDRM Airbase was supposed to relocate to Subang Airport or something in the original plan.
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Bro, read my old posts, the PDRM air wing has already move out to it's new Subang base in 2017
"...preserve some of them at strategic location as..." Give to National Museum, Sarawak Museum (maybe the Fulcrum driven by current PAT). Saw at least 3 nuri at TUDM KCH dismantled ia if ready to move out by low loader.
Read somewhere regarding preservation of the TUDM KL Control Tower,no decision yet by authorities.
RMAF museum should be located near Subang Airport. Maybe turn the Subang ATCC into Aviation Museum housing both civil and military museum, once the new KLATCC operates.
@ FR
Subang ATCC is now the ATCC training centre right? That piece of land does not have a direct access to the tarmac and runway of subang airport.
The best, yes to have the TUDM museum in Klang Valley, but I think the museum should have a direct access to an active tarmac and runway, to have a possibility in the future for historic flying operations. It would also be easier and cheaper if there is no need to build new buildings, existing locations with ready hangars would be ideal (like ATSC Kuantan). Other requirements would be easy access for visitors without the need to go through an active military base.
Another option IMO would be the old Alor Setar airport terminal. That would be a cool place for an airforce museum.
"PDRM air wing has already move out to it’s new Subang base in 2017"
Oh I see. So only left is PDRM hangars. But it would be problematic for any development to build around it. I would prefer a better location with purpose built museum for TUDM.