The Bunga Mas Lima was built at Malaysian Marine and Heavy Engineering in Pasir Gudang, Johore together with her sister, KA Bunga Mas Enam. She was launched in year 1997, and was purchased by the Malaysian Government when the MISC Bhd, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy and the National Security Council converted the MT Bunga Mas Lima to escort and protect its ships sailing through the pirate-infested gulf off the coast of Somalia. The conversion included modifications to accommodate extra crew, fittings for launching rigid hull inflatable boats, a helicopter deck to accommodate landing and a hangar. The foreword crane of Bunga Mas Lima was taken out since its presence inhibited helicopter landing while the 2nd crane were rested to the starboard side of the ship above the hangar. Labeled as auxiliary vessel and manned by MISC crews, conscripted into the navy reserve, with Malaysian Armed Forces special operations on board, the ship is a signal that new warships are badly needed by the navy to fill in the gap on the absence of multipurpose support ships as all of them had been sent to Gulf of Aden during the piracy breakout. The ships, KD Sri Inderasakti, KD Mahawangsa and KD Sri Inderapura are either undergoing refurbishment or engaged in other duties within Malaysian waters. However, the current RMN warships, especially the multipurpose command and support ship and the LST, were not fitted with a helicopter hangar but only a landing pad, which is why the RMN opted to have a vessel such as Bunga Mas Lima. Without a hangar, it is almost immposible for a taskgroup to rely on to helicopter operations, as they cannot maintain and service the helicopter especially in rough sea conditions. On the contrary, the frigates and the NGPV's had themselves equipped for helicopter operation, with an enclosed hangar and a landing pad capable of receiving an Agusta Westland Super Lynx or a Eurocopter AS-555 Fennec helicopter.
Major operation
In January 2011, the Royal Malaysian Navy foiled a hijacking attempt on the Malaysian-flagged MT Bunga Laurelchemical tanker carrying lubricating oil and ethylene dichloride. The KA Bunga Mas Lima responded after receiving a distress signal from the Bunga Laurel. A Fennec attack helicopter was used to pin down the pirate mothership as PASKAL commandos boarded the tanker. The commandos injured three pirates in the battle to retake the ship. 23 crew members were rescued and seven Somali pirates were detained.
