PPTD Divers Set a New Record in Malaysia by Submerging a Light Airplane as Artificial Reef in Lang Tengah Island, Terengganu

May 20, 2022

PPTD Divers Set a New Record in Malaysia by Submerging a Light Airplane as Artificial Reef in Lang Tengah Island, Terengganu

Terengganu, 20 May 2022 – PPTD Divers – a club under the auspices of the Administrative and Diplomatic Service Association (Persatuan Perkhidmatan Tadbir dan Diplomatik or PPTD for short) comprising senior Malaysian government officers – successfully entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) by being the first in the country to sink an artificial reef in the form of Piper PA-31 Navajo light airplane, also known as the Chieftain, to the ocean floor off Lang Tengah Island in Terengganu.

In conjunction with this historical event, a launching ceremony entitled ‘Malaysia Book of Records: First Aircraft Reef in Malaysia’ was held in Summer Bay Resort, Lang Tengah Island, which was officiated by the President of PPTD YBhg. Datuk Seri Mohd Sallehhuddin bin Hassan.

President of PPTD, YBhg. Datuk Seri Mohd Sallehhuddin bin Hassan (second from left) receiving the MBOR certificate from MBOR representative during the ceremony.

The process of sinking the light airplane – the first time ever to be done in Malaysia – took place between 19 and 21 May 2022 with the purpose of enhancing the waters and marine life that surround Lang Tengah Island, besides turning into another underwater attraction.

During the planning of this project, PPTD received authorisation from the Marine Park and Resource Management Division and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, including recognition from Malaysia Book of Records Sdn. Bhd. (MBOR), by ensuring that all guidelines and standards, particularly the safety aspects, are met so that the artificial reef is environmentally safe for marine life.

The owner of the light airplane, Dorken Reef Resources (DRR), was also involved in constructing and installing the artificial reef.

A group of divers taking the opportunity to take photo with the airplane underwater.

The Terengganu State Government (SUK Terengganu), the Malaysian Department of Fisheries (DOF), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) cooperated with PPTD Divers in executing the project, while private parties such as Summerbay Resort Lang Tengah Island, Evenesis, and Gaya Travel Magazine offered strategic support.

PPTD Divers (Kelab Selam Skuba PPTD) falls under the purview of PPTD Sports & Recreational Committee and has the professional national cycling athlete Dr. Norhasmat bin Abdul Aziz as its patron. Among the PPTD Divers’ objectives are to promote water safety awareness, underwater survival skills, and healthy lifestyle among PPTD members, including contributing towards environmental sustainability and increase awareness towards preserving and conserving marine life, aside from promoting unique local destinations to fellow divers.

PPTD was first established on 13 January 1950 and it now consists of senior government officers from the Administrative and Diplomatic Service scheme nationwide.