'Hijacking' of Bruneian plane foiled

Koo Jin Shen and Mun Fung
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 20, 2011

 

A LATE night flight was "hijacked" early yesterday morning by terrorists as the third anti-terrorism exercise concluded yesterday, further testing the strength of the nation's ability to resolve a crisis.

The national exercise dubbed "Setia Bersatu" concluded with 18 people dead, including two terrorists, 34 injured and the arrest of another terrorist.

Seventeen were killed in the initial bomb attack, including the "suicide bomber". One terrorist was shot dead during the rescue attempt on the aircraft, and all "hostages" were rescued without any injuries.

There were two major "scenarios" that took place under the exercise. The first was an explosion set off by a "suicide bomber" at a resort hotel in Jln Kota Batu and the second, a "hijacking" of an aircraft at the Berakas International Airport by two escaping terrorists.

The Brunei Times was notified of the second incident at approximately 2.30am, some three hours after the bomb explosion and had arrived at the Berakas International Airport at about 2.45am. Roadblocks had been set up along the roads leading into the airport by armed policemen.

For a period of time, the reporters were confined to the "media centre" and was informed at around 3am that two "hijackers" had taken over an aircraft with passengers aboard.

Between 3.40am to 4.40am, media were then given clearance to observe the situation briefly and were escorted by airport security to see the plane that had been hijacked from a safe distance.

The aircraft was isolated from the main terminal, and was a minute or two away from the Airport Fire Station.

The windows of the aircraft were too dark to see through, thus was either blocked or the cabin lights had been turned off.

At 4.44 am, ASP Pg Hj Abdul Salam Pg Hj Abdul Ghani, head of the Royal Brunei Police Force's Public Relations Unit, disclosed that the two hijackers had snuck aboard the plane alongside 35 "passengers", consisting of both Bruneians and foreigners.

After they boarding the plane, they proceeded to accost the pilot and take over the aircraft and its 13 crew.

At that time, Pg Hj Abd Salam said that the "hostages" remain unharmed, though the hijackers had made threats to their lives.

He said that RBPF Negotiators were engaged in discussions with the terrorists, and the RBPF's priority was to "save lives".

The negotiations were said by the RBPF to last several hours, before the scenario advanced to the police launching an assault on the terrorists. RBPF stated that the second scenario concluded at approximately 6:45am.

The hijackers were believed to possess firearms. When asked how the firearms were smuggled aboard, the police spokesperson replied that it was still under investigation.

The two hijackers were also believed to be connected to the first incident reported at the resort.

Based on initial investigation, police stated that the terrorists' motives was "revenge on the death of one of their chiefs".

Pg Hj Abd Salam also revealed that after getting word of the explosion at Jln Kota Batu, police stations in all four districts had heightened security at border checkpoints and had set up roadblocks.

The spokesperson said that despite the current situation, the airport remains open and flights were to operate as scheduled, though there will be a heightened security presence.

Departments involved in the second "live" simulation were the RBPF, the Immigration Department, Department of Civil Aviation as well as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The Special Operation Squad of the RBPF had also been deployed.

The simulation was launched under the National Security Committee, and was coordinated by the RBPF with the cooperation of all other agencies involved.

The main objective of such exercises is to prepare for any terrorist issues that may threaten the national safety of the country.

The Special Operations Squad (SOS), the Royal Brunei Police Force elite team, rescuing 'passengers' that had been held hostage during a terrorist attempt to hijack one of Brunei's aircraft, during the National Training Exercise early yesterday morning. Pictures: Courtesy of RBPF

Stunts mark end of police course

 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI - THE Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) yesterday closed the "Protection Team Phase" course and the "Special Force Group" (Pasukan Gerak Khas) basic course with a bang.

Performed during the closing ceremonies at the Police Gadong Training Centre were dangerous scenarios of evasive driving, bus storming and personal protection stunts.

The course was focused on safety aspects and intended to test and develop the trainees to become more responsible when dealing with certain situations and in terms of assessing threats quickly and accurately.

The highlight of the event was the VIP protection performance in which a convoy drove round the marching ground led by police officers on motorcycles, followed by different cars containing special force members. When the VIP car was "attacked", the cars screeched to a halt, made a lightning-fast turn and drove the "VIP" to safety.

Certificates were awarded to 12 members for the special force group basic course and 35 members for the VIP protection course presented by the guest of honour Prime Minister's Office Deputy Minister Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Wahab Juned at the multipurpose hall.

Also in attendance was the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin and the Acting Police Commissioner DCP Bahrin Mohd Noor.

In a speech, the Jabatan Gerakan Acting Director ACP Hj Mohd Jammy Hj Muhd Shah Al Islam touched on the programme's goal to improve the level of alertness in situations of urgency and in need of security objectives in terms of violence and threatening situations.

"The two courses aims to deal with situations that threaten lives, property and security, I also wish to congratulate the participants for successfully undergoing the training," said the acting director.

He reported that the special force group has currently 80 members that includes three female members in the unit.

"The team has expertise in the use of firearms and assets to handle serious criminal cases involving firearms, hostage or specifically violent situations," said the acting director. "This team has no doubt in operating in the scope of close urban actions such as in buildings, ships and aircraft."

In his speech he stated that the members have also undergone theory and practical training for the participants to achieve mental and physical endurance in any type of situation because the types of scenarios being faced has no limitations or time limit. Other types of training that the course offered were advanced training, abseiling, storming, parachute, firearms skills and accurate shot training.

 

-The Brunei Times - Tue, Apr 26, 2011

Anti-Terrorism Order 2011

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, August 1 - The Attorney-General's Chambers announced that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the establishment of an order known as Anti-Terrorism Order (ATO) 2011 to take effect from July 18, 2011.

    The ATO 2011 is the manifestation of Brunei Darussalam's strong commitment in combating terrorism locally and internationally.  The order covers offences such as committing terrorist acts, being members of terrorist groups, financing of terrorism and support or assisting any terrorist groups or acts.

(Brunei Darussalam Newsletter, August, 2011.  Volume 26 Issue 8)

Jet Pejuang Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei

Salam,

Biar betul tajuk blogpost ane. Hehe actually me ada terbaca satu post dlm local blog. Satu-satunya jet pejuang yang dimiliki oleh TUDB ialah Pilatus PC-7 Mk II. Ianya bukanlah bertaraf jet tetapi pesawat udara bagi tujuan latihan. Pihak Swiss mengeluarkan pesawat ini hanya tujuan untuk membuat latihan asas penerbangan sahaja. so pesawat ini tidak mempunyai tempat menyimpan senjata meriam, bom dan misil. Walaupun begitu, terdapat negara yang "melanggar" perjanjian penjualan dengan pihak Swiss dengan memasang senjata serta melakukan serangan.

Sebenarnya, sekitar tahun 1988-1989 terdapat ura-ura TUDB (ketika itu ATU DB) mahu membeli jet pejuang Bae Hawk versi 100 atau 200 sebanyak 8 buah tapi pembelian tersebut tidak pernah berlaku.

TUDB menerima pesawat ini sebanyak 4 buah dan memulakan operasi pada tahun 1997.   Pesawat ini menggantikan peranan dua buah pesawat SIAI Marchetti SF260W yang telah digunakan sejak tahun 1982.

Kenapa Brunei tidak memiliki pesawat udara bertaraf jet pejuang? Mungkin banyak sebabnya. Antaranya:

1. Kebanyakan negara jiran tidak mempunyai konflik dengan negara kita. Jika wujudpun boleh diselesaikan dengan urusan diplomatik dan melalui pakatan ASEAN.

2. Peruntukan untuk Kementerian Pertahanan sekitar BND 500 juta belum memadai untuk mewujudkan sebuah skuadron jet pejuang kerana kos (pembelian, penyelenggaraan) sangat tinggi. TUDB memerlukan sekurang-kurangnya 4 buah jet pejuang bagi membentuk sebuah skuadron.

3. Peralatan pertahanan udara semakin canggih dengan harga yang lebih murah dari jet pejuang tetapi mampu menjatuhkan jet pejuang. Buat masa ini TUDB memiliki sistem misil pertahanan dari bumi ke udara Rapier dan Mistral. Tidak mustahil kita akan memiliki sistem pertahanan udara yang terbaru.

4. Jika kita mahukan aset tempur udara, kita boleh bentuk sebuah skuadron helikopter tempur atau bersenjata. TUDB (ketika itu Cawangan Udara Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei) pada sekitar tahun 1980an pernah mengoperasikan BO-205 dengan peluru roket dan Bell 212 dengan "door-gunner".

5. Secanggih manapun jet pejuang, ia belum mampu beroperasi sendirian. Kejayaan serangan jet pejuang ke atas sasaran darat bergantung kepada maklumat risikan dan tinjauan pasukan lain di daratan.


Mungkin juga pada masa akan datang, TUDB "terbuka hati" untuk memiliki pesawat Pilatus PC-21 yang boleh dipasangkan senjata. Siapa tahu.

Oklah. Ada sedikit info tentang PC-7 Mark II milik TUDB ini:

Fungsi: Pesawat udara latihan ringan

Buatan: Pilatus Aircraft, Swiss

Penerbangan Sulung: 12 April 1966 (Prototaip), 18 Ogos 1978 (Pengeluaran)

Tahun Diperkenalkan: 1978

Status: Masih digunakan

Enjin dan Kuasa: PT6A-25C 522 kW (700 shp)

Pengguna TUDB: Sekolah Latihan Penerbangan, TUDB & Pasukan Akrobatik Alap-Alap, TUDB

Mula digunakan TUDB: 1997 

wizuraiworld@JB

Salam, actually dah 4 hari me kat JB ne. Kami dtg ptg Rabu dari Brunei ke KLIA dan seterusnya ke JB pada 10 malam. Ada seminar di Le Grandieur Palm Resort Hotel. Semalam (khamis) datang sana and bertugas as urusetia merangkap photographer & penjaga gerai buku. Hari ini letih semacam and tak ikut. Masa ini tinggal di The Puteri Pacific JB. Hotel Le Grandieur ne dekat dengan Airport Senai, Johor.

First thing to do pada pagi Rabu ialah shopping buku & magazine then instant coffee/milk tea & mee. Malam sebelum seminar tu kami dtg tengok2 tempat seminar tu. Komen: persekitaran hotel/resort tersebut SANGAT TIDAK SESUAI utk seminar bercorak keIslaman. Iklan arak di tempat laluan and setengah pekerjanya memakai baju yang agak sendat dan skirt pendek tunggu depan pintu masuk kawasan seminar. Malaslah nak cakap. Make donno je.

Semalam jln2 lagi dekat bazaar/pasar malam di kotaraya, dptlah military car sticker mcm Glock, Special Forces (VAT69, PASKAL, PASKAU, Gerakhas), GGK (round & square), Special Forces Gerak Khas Car Pass & Paratrooper SF. Ada lagi yang lain tapi nanti tengok dekat KL malam nanti. Me ingat kan solat Jumaat dekat Masjid An-Nur Kotaraya (bersambung dengan Galeri Kotaraya - Kompleks Kamdar Kotaraya yang lama) tapi takut pula kasut dikebas so me solat zuhur di hotel je.

Dari escalator hotel nampaklah pulau Singapura. Me segera teringat pada bulan lepas unit mortar TDDB (ABDB) & TDM (ATM) ada membuat Exsais Mertak (Meriam Katak) Bersatu. Rasanya dgn mortar 81mm tu letak kat persisir pantai selat Johor dan jika ditembak, agak-agak boleh sampai ke pantai Singapura tu ke? Use your imagination!

Krg ptg/malam balik semula ke KL. Dekat airport rancang nak singgah kedai UTM, beli buku rujukan. Masa pesta buku @ ICC ada berjual tapi mahal. Buku keluaran Malaysia/Indonesia bila dijual di Brunei memang mahal giler. Ini berbeza dengan buku Brunei yg dijual di Malaysia yang dijual mengikut nilai forex BND-RM dan ada sedikit potongan harga. Masa tunggu gerai di seminar tu, memang tak menang tangan. Me sempat juga tengok2 buku kat booth UTM. nda apa krg mlm b4 flight, singgah kejap di kedai UTM@Airport Senai.

Kalau sempat turun ke pasar malam n tengok2 car sticker ala military yang rugged2. Cuti sekolah P1 ne, kami turun KL lagi. Rasa mcm tak sah pula kalau tak keluar negeri masa cuti sekolah/semester. At least setahun sekali atau pergi KK pun ok apa.

Ok, setakat ne saja. Jumpa lagi di Brunei on the next post.

RBAirF Chopper Crashes In Temburong, One Injured

This is not the crashed chopper but maybe. The crashed one similar to the one show on this photo

Salam, news kat bawah ne me petik bulat2 dari laman web Brudirect yang juga news dari Borneo Bulletin.

Tuesday – 28 February 2012.

Temburong - A Bell 212 helicopter of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) crashed yesterday deep in the remote jungles of Temburong with just one out of its occupants sustaining a minor injury. Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mustappa bin Hj Sirat, Deputy Minister of Defence, on an official visit to Australia, confirmed that "a Bell 212 was involved" in the crash, in which only one crewmember sustained minor injury.

The senior defence official added that "the extent of the damage is yet to be determined and the matter is being investigated to determine the cause".

According to some informed sources, the helicopter was believed to have been carrying RBAF personnel during the crash that happened deep in the interior jungles of Kg Belalong, within the vicinity of a radio transmitter that is two days away by foot.

Hj Bahrun Hj Talib, Penghulu of Mukim Amo further acknowledged that only one person from the crash was airlifted to RIPAS Hospital in the capital by one of the RBAirF's Blackhawk helicopters, which he happened to see fly overhead yesterday following the incident, and that the rest of the passengers and crew were in Bangar Town unscathed.

The venerable Bell 212 Twin Huey first flew in 1968 that was made iconic during the Vietnam War. The RBAirF's first Bell 212 has been operating since September 1973, when that maiden flight from Singapore to Brunei held the record, at the time, for the longest distance and fastest time taken for the type of aircraft.

Trusted and adored by its adherents, in the words of many RBAirF pilots, the Bell 212 is a 'forgiving' aircraft. Operated exclusively by the RBAirF's No 1 Squadron, the fleet of Bell 212's has faithfully logged 39 years of flying service for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

In November last year, the Ministry of Defence announced its decision to replace the RBAF's ageing Bell 212 workhorse with 12 new Sikorsky S70i Blackhawk helicopters, with the first delivery expected over a two-year period, starting from next year.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

CN235 TUDB Bawa Pulang Mangsa

Berikutan dengan kemalangan jalanraya tragis yang berlaku pada 20 Disember 2012 di Jalan Ranau,Tamparuli berhampiran Kampung Kaporingan di Tuaran, Sabah, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan memerintahkan bagi semua Kementerian yang berkaitan, yang termasuk Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan, Kementerian Kesihatan, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan dan Kementerian lain serta pihak berkuasa yang berkenaan dalam Kerajaan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam untuk melaksanakan peranan mereka dalam memberikan bantuan penuh kepada mangsa-mangsa.

Selain dari sebuah penerbangan khas dari Syarikat Penerbangan Diraja Brunei, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB) turut melakukan penerbangan bagi membawa balik mangsa. Untuk itu, sebuah pesawat pengangkut CN 235 dari No. 5 Skuadron TUDB telah melaksanakan tugas yang penuh berkebajikan ini dengan penglibatan sejumlah lapan krew TUDB, yang terdiri daripada tiga orang juruterbang, seorang pegawai perhubungan dan empat orang ‘loadmasters’.

Pesawat CN235 telah menjalankan beberapa pelepasan penerbangan di Hanger ‘B’ Pengkalan Tentera Udara Rimba. Penerbangan pelepasan pertama, membawa empat mangsa tiba pada jam 3:05 petang, manakala penerbangan kedua yang membawa empat mangsa lagi tiba kira-kira jam 5:40 petang, dan penerbangan ketiga membawa dua lagi mangsa tiba pada jam 7:55 malam. Menunggu ketibaan mangsa-mangsa di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Rimba ialah Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Awang Haji Othman, Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Pemangku Menteri Pertahanan dan Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Timbalan Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri serta pegawai-pegawai kerajaan yang lain dan keluarga mangsa. Semasa ketibaan, mangsa-mangsa yang tiba telah dipindahkan terus ke Hospital Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) untuk rawatan perubatan lanjut.