BEIRUT BLAST: MALBATT 850-7 READY TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN, DISASTER RELIEF
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Battalion 850-7 (MALBATT 850-7) peacekeeping force is ready to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) if the commitment is required by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) following Tuesday’s explosion incident in Beirut.
Chief of Armed Force, General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Affendi bin Buang RMAF said the peacekeepers have been in Lebanon since October last year to participate in the UNIFIL mission, and they are still continuing their routine operations under the UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The MALBATT 850-7 is always committed and ready for any duties and responsibilities in helping to maintain peace in the country.
He said the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is always keeping abreast of the latest developments and prepared in any events that require further action to be undertaken by the MALBATT team.
At around midnight Malaysian time Tuesday, the Lebanese capital Beirut witnessed a fire followed by a massive blast at a warehouse at its port, where explosive material was believed to have been stored. The blast triggered the widespread destruction across the city and left at least 70 people dead and more than 3,000 injured
Medical Evacuation by Southern Naval Command
A medical evacuation was undertaken by Southern Naval Command (SNC) on 05 Aug using Helicopter from a merchant vessel off Kochi.
At about 1030 hrs on 05 August 2020, SNC received an input regarding injury to Rajpal Singh Sandhu native of Amritsar the Captain of merchant vessel MV Vishva Prerna. The Captain was reported to have suffered a severe leg injury necessitating an immediate rescue off Kochi. A Sea King helicopter was launched from INS Garuda at short notice for casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). Heavy sea state resulted in the ship rolling excessively the pilots of the helicopter displaying tremendous skill and professionalism successfully overcame the challenges posed by the unfavourable conditions and ensured the safe evacuation of the patient.
The casualty was brought to INS Garuda post evacuation, from where he was transferred to Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi for further medical assistance adhering to all COVID 19 protocols.
SIGNING OF MoU BETWEEN INDIAN COAST GUARD AND INDONESIA COAST GUARD
In a significant step towards bolstering the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Indonesia, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Indian Coast Guard and Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA RI) on 06 July 2020 towards enhancing collaborative and cooperative engagements in the domains of maritime law enforcement, maritime search & rescue and marine pollution response. This is likely to entail exchange of information towards combating transnational maritime crimes, facilitation of coordinated search & rescue operations at sea and conduct of capacity & capability building activities.
Since conceptualisation and exchange of first draft, the MoU was progressed for signing in a short time frame which is indicative of the significance both countries attach to cooperation in the maritime domain.
In view of the global travel restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, the signing of MoU was undertaken through Video Conference. DG K Natarajan, PTM, TM, Director General, Indian Coast Guard and Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia, Head of BAKAMLA RI signed the MoU in presence of Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and Shri Mochammad Rizki Safary, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Indonesia in India and officials from Ministry of Defence and External affairs.
The implementation of this MoU will go a long way in enhancing bilateral maritime cooperation between the two nations for ensuring safe, secure and clean seas in the region.
Minister of Defense Visits Shipyard Company in Babelan Bekasi
Bekasi – Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto paid a visit to PT Tesco Indomaritim, Wednesday (5/8/2020) in Babelan, Bekasi, West Java. PT Tesco Indomaritim is a national private shipbuilding company that is also part of the domestic strategic defense industry company.
Through this visit, the Minister of Defense wanted to see firsthand the capacity, capability and readiness of the private defense industry, one of which is PT Tesco Indomaritim in participating in fulfilling the needs of the TNI’s defense equipment, especially warships.
The fulfillment of the TNI’s Alutsista prioritises the production of the domestic defense industry in accordance with Law Number 16 of 2012 concerning the Defense Industry, in an effort to realise the independence of the defense industry while at the same time encouraging national economic growth.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who was accompanied by the Rector of the Defense University, Laksdya TNI Dr. A. Octavian, S.T., M.Sc., DESD and Deputy Head of the TNI Ahmadi Heri Purwono, were greeted directly by the President Director of PT Tesco Indomaritim Jamin Basuki.
The Minister of Defense had the opportunity to tour the production facilities and receive a brief explanation of several ship products that have been successfully produced by PT Tesco Indomaritim.
PT Tesco Indomaritim is a national shipbuilding company capable of manufacturing high-performance steel and aluminum plate ships powered by a Waterjet system or a Propeller system.
This shipyard, which is located in Muarabakti Village, Babelan District, Bekasi Regency, has been used well in the TNI environment.
He has worked on several ships ordered from the TNI AD, namely the KMC Komando Fast Ship, including the Navy such as the 12-meter Landing Craft Vehicle for Personnel, the 28-Meter Fast Patrol Boat, the 24-Meter Landing Carrier Utilities, the 28-meter KAL, the RFIB and the 38-meter-long TNI order ship.
